I beseech thee for my child, whom I begot in my bonds, Onesimus; who in time past was unprofitable to thee, but is now profitable to thee and to me; whom I have sent back; and do thou [receive] him, that is, my own flesh. read more.
Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might minister to me in the bonds of the gospel; but I chose to do nothing without thy consent, that thy benefit may be not as from necessity, but willingly. For perhaps he was separated from thee for a season to this end, that thou shouldst receive him back as thine for ever; no longer as a bondservant, but above a bondservant, a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much more to thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord! If thou then regardest me as a partner, receive him as myself. And if he wronged thee in anything, or oweth thee, put that to my account. I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it; not to say to thee, that to me thou owest even thy own self besides. Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Having confidence in thy obedience I have written to thee, knowing that thou wilt do even more than I say.