7 Your love, dear brother, has brought me great joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all God's people.
8 For this reason I could be bold enough, as your brother in Christ, to order you to do what should be done.
9 But because I love you, I make a request instead. I do this even though I am Paul, the ambassador of Christ Jesus, and at present also a prisoner for his sake.
10 So I make a request to you on behalf of Onesimus, who is my own son in Christ; for while in prison I have become his spiritual father.
11 At one time he was of no use to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.
12 I am sending him back to you now, and with him goes my heart.
13 I would like to keep him here with me, while I am in prison for the gospel's sake, so that he could help me in your place.