Catholic Public Domain Version
"I myself wanted to retain him with me, so that he might minister to me, on your behalf, while I am in the chains of the Gospel. "
— Philemon 1:13, Catholic Public Domain 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 would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister 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 beg you, on behalf of my son, whom I have begotten in my chains, Onesimus.
In times past, he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to me and to you.
So I have sent him back to you. And may you receive him like my own heart.
I myself wanted to retain him with me, so that he might minister to me, on your behalf, while I am in the chains of the Gospel.
But I was willing to do nothing without your counsel, so as not to make use of your good deed as if out of necessity, but only willingly.
So perhaps, then, he departed from you for a time, so that you might receive him again for eternity,
no longer as a servant, but, in place of a servant, a most beloved brother, especially to me: but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord!