Philemon 1:13
Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus
12I am sending back to you him who is my very heart.13I would have liked to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he could minister to me in my chains for the gospel.14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will.
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Berean Standard Bible
I would have liked to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he could minister to me in my chains for the gospel.
American Standard Version (1901)
whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
Bible in Basic English
Though my desire was to keep him with me, to be my servant in the chains of the good news, in your place:
Douay-Rheims 1899
Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to me in the bands of the gospel:
Free Bible Version
I'd have preferred to keep him here with me so that he could have helped me as you would have done while I am in chains for telling the good news.
Geneva Bible 1599
Whom I woulde haue reteined with mee, that in thy steade he might haue ministred vnto me in the bondes of the Gospel.
King James (Authorized) Version
Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
Plain English Version
You see, I told the people here the good news about Jesus, and the bosses didn’t like me doing that, so they put me in jail. And I know that you can’t come here to help me, so I want to keep Onesimus here, to help me instead of you helping me.
Translation for Translators
I would like to have kept him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf, while I am a prisoner [MTY] because of my preaching the message about Christ.
Unlocked Literal Bible
I wish I could have kept him with me, so he could serve me for you, while I am in chains for the sake of the gospel.
Noah Webster Bible
Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to me in the bonds of the gospel:
World English Bible
whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.
Young's Literal Translation
whom I did wish to retain to myself, that in thy behalf he might minister to me in the bonds of the good news,