Philemon 1:8-11 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

8. Because of the authority Christ has given me, I could be bold. I could order you to do what you should do anyway.

9. But I make my appeal to you on the basis of our love for each other. I, Paul, am an old man. I am now also a prisoner because of Christ Jesus.

10. I make an appeal to you for my son Onesimus. He became a son to me while I was being held by chains.

11. Before that, he was useless to you. But now he has become useful to you and to me.

Philemon 1