¹⁶ You can have him back again not only as your slave. He will be something much better than a slave for you. He will be like a brother that you love. I love him very much. But now you will love him even more. He will serve you as a slave, but he will also serve the Lord, as you do.

¹⁷ I am your friend. Together we serve God. If you agree with that, please be kind to Onesimus. Accept him in the same way that you would accept me. ¹⁸ If Onesimus has done anything wrong to you, I will make it right again. If he took money from you, I will pay it back.