²⁹ And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day ^(A)might become such as I am—except for ^(B)these chains.”

²⁰ for which I ^(A)am an ambassador ^(B)in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

²⁸ Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that ^(A)we may present everyone ^(B)mature in Christ.

10 Brothers,^[a] my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.

³³ Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him ^(A)to be bound ^(B)with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done.

Paul and the False Apostles

11 I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me!

^7 (A)I wish that all were ^(B)as I myself am. But ^(C)each has his own gift from God, ^(D)one of one kind and one of another.

⁸ Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!

God's Sovereign Choice

9 ^(A)I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— ² that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³ For ^(B)I could wish that I myself were ^(C)accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers,^[a] my kinsmen ^(D)according to the flesh.

¹⁴ And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, ^(A)“There is a man left prisoner by Felix,