10. I am appealing to you concerning my child, whose spiritual father I have become during my imprisonment, that is, Onesimus,
11. who was formerly useless to you, but is now useful to you and me.
12. I have sent him (who is my very heart) back to you.
13. I wanted to keep him so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the sake of the gospel.
14. However, without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your good deed would not be out of compulsion, but from your own willingness.