8 Because of this, I have enough confidence in Christ Jesus to command you concerning certain things,
9 but I beg you instead, for the sake of charity, since you are so much like Paul: an old man and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 I beg you, on behalf of my son, whom I have begotten in my chains, Onesimus.
11 In times past, he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to me and to you.
12 So I have sent him back to you. And may you receive him like my own heart.
13 I myself wanted to retain him with me, so that he might minister to me, on your behalf, while I am in the chains of the Gospel.
14 But I was willing to do nothing without your counsel, so as not to make use of your good deed as if out of necessity, but only willingly.