²⁰ For this reason therefore I asked to see you and speak with you, since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”^(A)

⁶ And now I stand here on trial on account of my hope in the promise made by God to our ancestors,^{(A) 7} a promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship day and night. It is for this hope, Your Excellency,^[a] that I am accused by Jews!^(B)

²⁹ Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that not only you but also all who are listening to me today might become such as I am—except for these chains.”^(A)

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

⁹ for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.^(A)

¹³ so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard^[a] and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ,

⁶ When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, “Brothers,^[a] I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection^[b] of the dead.”^(A)

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

Unity in the Body of Christ

4 I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,^(A)

Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles

3 This is the reason that I, Paul, am a prisoner for^[a] Christ Jesus^[b] for the sake of you gentiles,