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 on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel,
14. but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.
15. For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever,
16. no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17. So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.
18. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.
19. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.
20. Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
21. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
22. At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.
23. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you,
24. and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.