The Appeal for Onesimus

8

Therefore, I would not hesitate, in union with the Messiah, to direct you to do the thing you ought to do.

9

But since I Sha’ul, am the kind of person I am, an old man and now for the Messiah Yeshua’s sake a prisoner besides, I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love.

10

My request to you concerns my son, of whom I became the father while here in prison, Onesimus.

11

His name means “useful,” and although he was once useless to you, he has now become most useful — not only to you but also to me;

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so that in returning him to you I am sending a part of my very heart.

13

I would dearly have loved to keep him with me, in order for him to serve me in your place while I am in prison because of the Good News.

14

But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do for me may be voluntary and not forced.

15

Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a brief period was so that you could have him back forever,

16

no longer as a slave but as more than a slave, as a dear brother. And that he is, especially to me. But how much dearer he must be to you, both humanly and in union with the Lord!

17

So if you are in fellowship with me, receive him as you would me.

18

And if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.

19

I, Sha’ul, write with my own hand. I will repay it. (I won’t mention, of course, that you owe me your very life.)

20

Yes, brother, please do me this favor in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Messiah.

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