13. I wanted to keep him here with me. Then he could have served me in your place while I am in prison for spreading the Good News.
14. Yet, I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I want you to do this favor for me out of your own free will without feeling forced to do it.
15. Maybe Onesimus was gone for a while so that you could have him back forever—
16. no longer as a slave but better than a slave—as a dear brother. He is especially dear to me, but even more so to you, both as a person and as a Christian.