7. Your love, dear brother, has brought me great joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all God's people.
8. For this reason I could be bold enough, as your brother in Christ, to order you to do what should be done.
9. But because I love you, I make a request instead. I do this even though I am Paul, the ambassador of Christ Jesus, and at present also a prisoner for his sake.
10. So I make a request to you on behalf of Onesimus, who is my own son in Christ; for while in prison I have become his spiritual father.
11. At one time he was of no use to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.
12. I am sending him back to you now, and with him goes my heart.
13. I would like to keep him here with me, while I am in prison for the gospel's sake, so that he could help me in your place.
14. However, I do not want to force you to help me; rather, I would like you to do it of your own free will. So I will not do anything unless you agree.
15. It may be that Onesimus was away from you for a short time so that you might have him back for all time.
16. And now he is not just a slave, but much more than a slave: he is a dear brother in Christ. How much he means to me! And how much more he will mean to you, both as a slave and as a brother in the Lord!