9. Yet I would rather make an appeal on the mekor (basis) of ahavah (agapé)-- I, [Rav] Sha'ul, the Zaken (Elder) but also a prisoner of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua.
10. I appeal to you concerning beni, having "fathered" him (to a new birth) while in bais hasohar (prison) --that is, Onesimus (T.N. the slave boy Onesimus' name means "Useful")
11. The one once "Useless" to you, but, now, both to you and to me "Useful" (Onesimus).
12. I am sending him who is my very lev (heart) back to you.
13. I was wanting to detain him with me, in order that he might function as a keli kodesh (minister), ministering to me in your place, as your murshe (proxy), while I'm detained in the imprisonment of the Besuras HaGeulah.
14. But I wanted to do nothing without your haskamah (consent, approval), in order that the mitzvah you do might not be meshabed (caused to be obligated) or forced, but voluntary.
15. Eppis (for some reason) perhaps he was separated from you for a while in order that you might have him back for Yamim HaOlam,
16. No longer as a bond servant, but, more than a bond servant, an ach ahuv (a beloved brother [in Moshiach]), especially to me, and how much more to you, both as a man and in Adoneinu.
17. So if you consider me partnered to you as a chaver in our [common orthodox Jewish emunah], receive him as you would me.
18. But if in anything he wronged you or owes you, charge this to my cheshbon (account, bill).
19. I, [Rav] Sha'ul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay. This is not to meorer (point out) the fact that on your cheshbon you owe me your very neshamah.
20. Yes, Ach b'Moshiach, I would have some "usefulness" from you in Adoneinu. Refresh my lev in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach.