²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,^(A) for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.^{(B) 30} For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”^(C)

²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown^(A) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.^(B)

³ For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.^{(A) 4} The weapons we fight with^(B) are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power^(C) to demolish strongholds.^{(D) 5} We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,^(E) and we take captive every thought to make it obedient^(F) to Christ.

¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(A) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(B) against the powers^(C) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^{(D) 13} Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(E) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,^(F) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^{(G) 15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^{(H) 16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(I) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(J) 17} Take the helmet of salvation^(K) and the sword of the Spirit,^(L) which is the word of God.^(M)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit^(N) on all occasions^(O) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(P) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(Q) for all the Lord’s people.

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)