I really wanted to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he might serve me while I am in chains for the Good News.
It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart—for you all are partakers of grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News.
For this reason I, Paul, am a prisoner of Messiah Yeshua for the sake of you Gentiles.
I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, for they made up for your absence.
Paul, a prisoner of Messiah Yeshua, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow worker.
because he came close to death for the work of Messiah, risking his life to make up for what was lacking in your service to me.
Therefore I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you were called—
I beg you for my child Onesimus—for whom I became a spiritual father while in chains.
I sent him back to you—he is my very heart.