2 I want you to know how hard I am contending^(A) for you and for those at Laodicea,^(B) and for all who have not met me personally.

²⁹ To this end I strenuously^(A) contend^(B) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.^(C)

³⁰ since you are going through the same struggle^(A) you saw^(B) I had, and now hear^(C) that I still have.

¹² Epaphras,^(A) who is one of you^(B) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,^(C) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature^(D) and fully assured. ¹³ I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea^(E) and Hierapolis.

To the Church in Laodicea

¹⁴ “To the angel of the church in Laodicea^(A) write:

¹¹ which said: “Write on a scroll what you see^(A) and send it to the seven churches:^(B) to Ephesus,^(C) Smyrna,^(D) Pergamum,^(E) Thyatira,^(F) Sardis,^(G) Philadelphia^(H) and Laodicea.”^(I)

Paul’s Labor for the Church

²⁴ Now I rejoice^(A) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,^(B) for the sake of his body, which is the church.^(C)

³⁸ What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again.^(A) Then they accompanied him to the ship.^(B)

⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him^(A) and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,