Philemon 1:8-16

8Therefore, though I have plenty of boldness in Messiah to order you to do what’s right,

9yet for love’s sake I appeal to you instead. I, Paul, am an old man and now also a prisoner belonging to Messiah Yeshua.

10I beg you for my child Onesimus—for whom I became a spiritual father while in chains.

11He once was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and me.

12I sent him back to you—he is my very heart.

13I really wanted to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he might serve me while I am in chains for the Good News.

14But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness wouldn’t be by force but by free will.

15For perhaps he was separated from you for a while in order that you might have him back forever,

16no longer as a slave but more than a slave—as a beloved brother, especially to me but even more so to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.