From the elder. To the lady, who has been chosen by God, and to her children. I love all of you in the truth, and I’m not the only one who loves you. So does everyone who knows the truth.
A man from Cyrene named Simon (he’s the father of Alexander and Rufus) was coming in from the country. When he went past the soldiers who were leading Jesus away, they stopped him and forced him to carry the cross.
You didn’t choose me, I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit that would endure, so that you would receive from the Father anything you ask for in my name.
But we should always thank God for you, brothers and sisters, because the Lord loves you and chose you as the first to be saved. This has happened through the work of the Holy Spirit, which makes people holy, and through your belief in the truth.