Philemon 1:15-19

15When Onesimus ran away from you, perhaps God let that happen. Onesimus left you for a short time so that you could now have him back for ever.

16You can have him back again not only as your slave. He will be something much better than a slave for you. He will be like a brother that you love. I love him very much. But now you will love him even more. He will serve you as a slave, but he will also serve the Lord, as you do.

17I am your friend. Together we serve God. If you agree with that, please be kind to Onesimus. Accept him in the same way that you would accept me.

18If Onesimus has done anything wrong to you, I will make it right again. If he took money from you, I will pay it back.

19I, Paul, am writing this myself: ‘I will pay the money back to you.’ But you should remember what I have given to you already. You have life with God because I told you the good news about Jesus.