12. I have sent him back. Therefore receive him as my own heart.
13. I wanted to keep him with me, so that in your place he might serve me during my imprisonment for the gospel.
14. But without your consent I would do nothing, so that your goodness would not be forced, but given willingly.
15. Perhaps this was why he departed for a while, that you might receive him forever,
16. no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.