Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
but without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
