American Standard Version
"whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel: "
— Philemon 1:13, American Standard Version
“Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:”
“whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.”
“I wanted to keep him with me so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the sake of the gospel.”
“Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to me in the bands of the gospel.”
“Though my desire was to keep him with me, to be my servant in the chains of the good news, in your place:”
“Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:”
I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,
who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me:
whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart:
whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.
For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;
no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.