Philemon 1:10-17

10I am appealing to you concerning my child, whose spiritual father I have become during my imprisonment, that is, Onesimus,

11who was formerly useless to you, but is now useful to you and me.

12I have sent him (who is my very heart) back to you.

13I wanted to keep him so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the sake of the gospel.

14However, without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your good deed would not be out of compulsion, but from your own willingness.

15For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a little while, so that you would have him back eternally,

16no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dear brother. He is especially so to me, and even more so to you now, both humanly speaking and in the Lord.

17Therefore if you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me.