Philemon 1:15 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

For possibly Onesimus left you for a short time so that you could have him [back] forever,

More versions

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

Perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated [from you] for a while, that you might have him back as yours forever,

For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;

Maybe this is the reason that Onesimus was separated from you for a while so that you might have him back forever—

So perhaps, then, he departed from you for a time, so that you might receive him again for eternity,

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee, that thou mightest receive him again for ever:

to do what your plan and wisdom predetermined should happen.