¹⁴ but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be ^(A)by compulsion but of your own accord.

⁷ Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, ^(A)not reluctantly or under compulsion, for ^(B)God loves a cheerful giver.

^2 (A)shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,^{[a] (B)}not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;^{[b] (C)}not for shameful gain, but eagerly; ³ not ^(D)domineering over those in your charge, but ^(E)being examples to the flock.

Paul's Plea for Onesimus

⁸ Accordingly, ^(A)though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do ^(B)what is required, ⁹ yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now ^(C)a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—

⁵ So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the ^(A)gift^[a] you have promised, so that it may be ready ^(B)as a willing gift, ^(C)not as an exaction.^[b]

¹² For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable ^(A)according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

²⁴ Not that we ^(A)lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm ^(B)in your faith.

¹⁷ For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with ^(A)a stewardship.