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Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

For this reason, though I am more than bold enough in Christ to command you to do the right thing, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus.[a] 10 I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment.(A) 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful[b] to[c] you and to me. 12 I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.[d] 13 I wanted to keep him with me so that he might minister to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel,(B) 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced.(C) 15 Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for the long term, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.(D)

17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.(E) 18 If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self.

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Footnotes

  1. 9 Or as an ambassador of Christ Jesus, and now also his prisoner
  2. 11 The name Onesimus means useful or beneficial
  3. 11 Other ancient authorities read both to
  4. 12 Other ancient authorities read you; receive him

Service Well-Pleasing to God

13 Let mutual affection continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.(A) Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them, those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.[a] Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.(B) Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he himself has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”(C) So we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper;
    I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?”

Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

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Footnotes

  1. 13.3 Gk were in the body