Philemon 10-21

English Standard Version

¹⁰ I appeal to you for ^(A)my child, ^(B)Onesimus,^{[a] (C)}whose father I became in my imprisonment. ¹¹ (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) ¹² I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. ¹³ I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me ^(D)on your behalf ^(E)during my imprisonment for the gospel, ¹⁴ but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be ^(F)by compulsion but of your own accord. ¹⁵ For this perhaps is why ^(G)he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, ^16 (H)no longer as a bondservant^[b] but more than a bondservant, as ^(I)a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, ^(J)both in the flesh and in the Lord.

¹⁷ So if you consider me ^(K)your partner, receive him as you would receive me. ¹⁸ If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. ^19 (L)I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. ²⁰ Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. ^(M)Refresh my heart in Christ.

^21 (N)Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.