10 I appeal to you for (A)my child, (B)Onesimus,[a] (C)whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me (D)on your behalf (E)during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be (F)by compulsion but of your own accord.

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Footnotes

  1. Philemon 1:10 Onesimus means useful (see verse 11) or beneficial (see verse 20)

10 that I appeal to you for my son(A) Onesimus,[a](B) who became my son while I was in chains.(C) 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains(D) for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced(E) but would be voluntary.

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Footnotes

  1. Philemon 1:10 Onesimus means useful.