New International Reader's Version

Philemon 1:6-12 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

6. I pray that you will be active in sharing what you believe. Then you will completely understand every good thing we have in Christ.

7. Your love has given me great joy. It has cheered me up. My brother, you have renewed the hearts of God's people.

8. Because of the authority Christ has given me, I could be bold. I could order you to do what you should do anyway.

9. But I make my appeal to you on the basis of our love for each other. I, Paul, am an old man. I am now also a prisoner because of Christ Jesus.

10. I make an appeal to you for my son Onesimus. He became a son to me while I was being held by chains.

11. Before that, he was useless to you. But now he has become useful to you and to me.

12. I'm sending Onesimus back to you. My very heart goes with him.