Philemon 8-14

New Century Version

Accept Onesimus as a Brother

⁸ So, in Christ, I could be bold and order you to do what is right. ⁹ But because I love you, I am pleading with you instead. I, Paul, an old man now and also a prisoner for Christ Jesus, ¹⁰ am pleading with you for my child Onesimus, who became my child 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 so that in your place he might help me while I am in prison for the Good News. ¹⁴ But I did not want to do anything without asking you first so that any good you do for me will be because you want to do it, not because I forced you.