5. hearing of your love and the belief which you have toward the Master יהושע and toward all the set-apart ones,
6. so that the sharing of your belief might become working in the knowledge of all the good which is in you toward Messiah יהושע.
7. For we have much joy and encouragement in your love, because the tender affections of the set-apart ones have been refreshed by you, brother.
8. Therefore, although I have much boldness in Messiah to command you what is fitting,
9. because of love, I rather appeal – being such a one as Sha’ul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of יהושע Messiah –
10. I appeal to you for my child Onesimos, whom I brought forth while in my chains,
11. who formerly was of no use to you, but now is of good use to you and to me,
12. whom I sent back to you, and receive him, that is, my own tender affections,
13. whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.
14. But without your opinion I wished to do none at all, so that your good deed should not be by way of necessity, but voluntary.
15. For he parted from you for a while, possibly because of this, so that you might have him back forever,
16. no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother, especially to me, and how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Master.
17. So, if you regard me as your partner, receive him as you would me.