Philemon 8-14

International Children’s Bible

Accept Onesimus as a Brother

⁸ There is something that you should do. And because of your love in Christ, I feel free to order you to do it. ⁹ But because I love you, I am asking you instead. I, Paul, am an old man now, and a prisoner for Christ Jesus. ¹⁰ I am asking you a favor for my son Onesimus. He became my son while I was in prison. ¹¹ In the past he was useless to you. But now he has become useful for both you and me.

¹² I am sending him back to you, and with him I am sending my own heart. ¹³ I wanted to keep him with me to help me while I am in prison for the Good News. By helping me he would be serving you. ¹⁴ But I did not want to do anything without asking you first. Then any favor you do for me will be because you want to do it, not because I forced you to do it.