¹⁴ But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, ^(A)that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.

⁷ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, ^(A)not grudgingly or of ^[a]necessity; for ^(B)God loves a cheerful giver.

^2 (A)Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, ^(B)not by compulsion but ^[a]willingly, ^(C)not for dishonest gain but eagerly; ³ nor as ^(D)being ^[b]lords over ^(E)those entrusted to you, but ^(F)being examples to the flock;

The Plea for Onesimus

⁸ Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, ⁹ yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—

⁵ Therefore I thought it necessary to ^[a]exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a ^[b]grudging obligation.

¹² For ^(A)if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

²⁴ Not ^(A)that we ^[a]have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for ^(B)by faith you stand.

¹⁷ For if I do this willingly, ^(A)I have a reward; but if against my will, ^(B)I have been entrusted with a stewardship.