¹⁶ no longer as a slave,^(A) but better than a slave, as a dear brother.^(B) He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

¹⁷ So if you consider me a partner,^(C) welcome him as you would welcome me.

²⁰ I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh^(A) my heart in Christ. ²¹ Confident^(B) of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.