Philemon 8-11

New International Version

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

⁸ Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, ⁹ yet I prefer to appeal to you^(A) on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner^(B) of Christ Jesus— ¹⁰ that I appeal to you for my son^(C) Onesimus,^[a](D) who became my son while I was in chains.^{(E) 11} Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.