10. I beg you to help Onesimus! He is like a son to me because I led him to Christ here in jail.
11. Before this, he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.
12. Sending Onesimus back to you makes me very sad.
13. I would like to keep him here with me, where he could take your place in helping me while I am here in prison for preaching the good news.
14. But I won't do anything unless you agree to it first. I want your act of kindness to come from your heart, and not be something you feel forced to do.
15. Perhaps Onesimus was taken from you for a little while so that you could have him back for good,