⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.^{(A) 9} But he said to me, “My grace^(B) is sufficient for you, for my power^(C) is made perfect in weakness.^(D)”^(E) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

¹⁰ I want to know^(A) Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,^(B) becoming like him in his death,^{(C) 11} and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection^(D) from the dead.

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,^(E) but I press on to take hold^(F) of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.^(G)

²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known^(A) among the Gentiles the glorious riches^(B) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,^(C) the hope of glory.

²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing^(D) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,^(E) so that we may present everyone fully mature^(F) in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I strenuously^(G) contend^(H) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.^(I)

The Charge to Timothy Renewed

¹⁸ Timothy, my son,^(A) I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you,^(B) so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,^{(C) 19} holding on to faith and a good conscience,^(D) which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.^(E)