I am appealing to you concerning my child whom I became the father of during my imprisonment, Onesimus. Once he [was] useless to you, but now [he is] useful to you and to me, whom I have sent back to you himself, that is, my heart, read more.
whom I wanted to keep with me, in order that he might serve me on behalf of you during my imprisonment for the gospel. But apart from your consent, I wanted to do nothing, in order that your good [deed] might be not as according to necessity, but according to [your own] free will. For perhaps because of this, he was separated [from you] for a time, in order that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If therefore you consider me a partner, receive him as [you would] me. But if in anything he has caused you loss or owes [you anything], {charge this to my account}. I, Paul, write [this] with my [own] hand: I will pay it back, lest I mention to you that {you owe me even your very self besides}. Yes, brother, I ought to have some benefit of you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you [because I] know that you will do even beyond what I say.