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Philemon 10-21
New American Standard Bible
Philemon 10-21
New American Standard Bible
Plea for Onesimus, a Free Man
10 I (A)appeal to you for my (B)[a]son [b](C)Onesimus, whom I [c]fathered in my [d]imprisonment, 11 who previously was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. 12 I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, 13 whom I wanted to keep with me, so that in your behalf he might be at my service in my [e](D)imprisonment for the gospel; 14 but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness would (E)not be, in effect, by compulsion, but of your own free will. 15 For perhaps it was (F)for this reason that he was separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, 16 (G)no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, (H)a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both (I)in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 If then you regard me as a (J)partner, accept him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account; 19 (K)I, Paul, have written this with my own hand, I will repay it ((L)not to [f]mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). 20 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; (M)refresh my heart in Christ.
21 (N)Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Philemon 1:10 Or child
- Philemon 1:10 I.e., useful
- Philemon 1:10 I.e., led to the Lord
- Philemon 1:10 Lit bonds
- Philemon 1:13 Lit bonds
- Philemon 1:19 Lit say
Philemon 10-21
New International Version
Philemon 10-21
New International Version
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. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave,(F) but better than a slave, as a dear brother.(G) He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me a partner,(H) welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.(I) 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand.(J) I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh(K) my heart in Christ. 21 Confident(L) of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
Footnotes
- Philemon 1:10 Onesimus means useful.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
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