The Appeal for Onesimus

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Wherefore, though I have much confidence in Christ Jesus to command thee that which is to the purpose:

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For charity sake I rather beseech, whereas thou art such a one, as Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also of Jesus Christ.

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I beseech thee for my son, whom I have begotten in my bands, Onesimus,

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Who hath been heretofore unprofitable to thee but now is profitable both to me and thee:

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Whom I have sent back to thee. And do thou receive him as my own bowels.

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Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to me in the bands of the gospel.

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But without thy counsel I would do nothing: that thy good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary.

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For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee that thou mightest receive him again for ever:

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Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me. But how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord?

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If therefore thou count me a partner, receive him as myself.

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And if he hath wronged thee in any thing or is in thy debt, put that to my account.

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I Paul have written it with my own hand: I will repay it: not to say to thee that thou owest me thy own self also.

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Yea, brother. May I enjoy thee in the Lord! Refresh my bowels in the Lord.