³ Join with me in suffering,^(A) like a good soldier^(B) of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. ⁵ Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown^(C) except by competing according to the rules.

¹³ I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains^(A) for the gospel.