For thisreasonI, Paul,the prisonerof ChristJesusfor the sakeof you Gentiles--
"But beforeallthese things,they will laytheir handson you and will persecuteyou, deliveringyou to the synagoguesand prisons,bringingyou beforekingsand governorsfor My name'ssake.
Thenthe commandercameup and took holdof him, and orderedhim to be boundwith twochains;and he [began] askingwhohe was and whathe had done.
Sohe tookhim and ledhim to the commanderand said,"Paulthe prisonercalledme to him and askedme to leadthisyoung manto you since he hassomethingto tellyou."
And Paul[said], "I would wishto God,that whetherin a shortorlong time,not onlyyou, but alsoallwho hearme this day,might becomesuchas I am,exceptfor thesechains."
But the Lordsaidto him, "Go,for he is a choseninstrumentof Mine,to bearMy namebeforethe Gentilesand kingsand the sonsof Israel;
But ifwe are afflicted,it is for your comfortand salvation;or ifwe are comforted,it is for your comfort,which is effectivein the patient enduringof the samesufferingswhichwe alsosuffer;
NowI, Paul,myselfurgeyou by the meeknessand gentlenessof Christ--I whoam meekwhen face to facewith you, but boldtowardyou when absent!
Are they servantsof Christ?--I speakas if insane--I more so;in far morelabors,in far moreimprisonments,beatentimes without number,oftenin danger of death.
But I, brethren,ifI stillpreachcircumcision,whyam I stillpersecuted?Thenthe stumbling blockof the crosshas been abolished.
BeholdI, Paul,sayto you that ifyou receive circumcision,Christwill be of nobenefitto you.
Nowthosewho belong to ChristJesushave crucifiedthe fleshwith its passionsand desires.
[This was] in accordancewith the eternalpurposewhichHe carriedout in ChristJesusour Lord,
ThereforeI askyou not to lose heartat my tribulationson your behalf,for they are your glory.
To me, the very leastof allsaints,thisgracewas given,to preachto the Gentilesthe unfathomablerichesof Christ,
ThereforeI, the prisonerof the Lord,imploreyou to walkin a manner worthyof the callingwith whichyou have been called,
for whichI am an ambassadorin chains;that in [proclaiming] it I may speak boldly,as I oughtto speak.
For it is onlyrightfor me to feelthis wayaboutyou all,becauseI haveyou in my heart,since bothin my imprisonmentand in the defenseand confirmationof the gospel,you allare partakersof gracewith me.
NowI rejoicein my sufferingsfor your sake,and in my fleshI do my shareon behalfof His body,whichis the church,in fillingup whatis lackingin Christ'safflictions.
I, Paul,write thisgreetingwith my ownhand.Remembermy imprisonment.Gracebe with you.
prayingat the same timefor us as well,that Godwill openup to us a doorfor the word,so that we may speak forththe mysteryof Christ,for whichI have alsobeen imprisoned;
The Lordgrantmercyto the houseof Onesiphorus,for he oftenrefreshedme and was not ashamedof my chains;
Thereforedo not be ashamedof the testimonyof our Lordorof me His prisoner,but join with [me] in sufferingfor the gospelaccordingto the powerof God,
Paul,a prisonerof ChristJesus,and Timothyour brother,To Philemonour beloved[brother] and fellow worker,
Epaphras,my fellow prisonerin ChristJesus,greetsyou,
yet for love'ssakeI ratherappeal[to you]-- since I amsuch a personas Paul,the aged,and nowalsoa prisonerof ChristJesus--
Do not fearwhatyou are aboutto suffer.Behold,the devilis aboutto castsome of you into prison,sothat you will be tested,and you will havetribulationfor tendays.Be faithfuluntildeath,and I will giveyou the crownof life.
