¹⁰ that I appeal to you for my son^(A) Onesimus,^[a](B) who became my son while I was in chains.^{(C) 11} Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

¹² I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. ¹³ I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains^(D) for the gospel. ¹⁴ But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced^(E) but would be voluntary. ¹⁵ Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— ¹⁶ no longer as a slave,^(F) but better than a slave, as a dear brother.^(G) He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.