¹² I thank the Messiah^[a] Jesus, our Lord, who gives me strength, that he has considered me faithful and has appointed me to his service. ¹³ In the past I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent^[b] man. But I received mercy because I acted ignorantly in my unbelief, ¹⁴ and the grace of our Lord overflowed toward me,^[c] along with the faith and love that are in the Messiah^[d] Jesus. ¹⁵ This is a trustworthy saying that deserves complete acceptance:^[e]

I am the worst of them. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the worst sinner,^[h] the Messiah^[i] Jesus might demonstrate all of his patience as an example for those who would believe in him for eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King Eternal—the immortal, invisible, and only God—be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.