³ And pray for us, too, that God may open a door^(A) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery^(B) of Christ, for which I am in chains.^(C)

¹⁹ Pray also for me,^(A) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly^(B) make known the mystery^(C) of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador^(D) in chains.^(E) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

²⁷ On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them^(A) and how he had opened a door^(B) of faith to the Gentiles.

¹³ As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard^[a] and to everyone else that I am in chains^(A) for Christ. ¹⁴ And because of my chains,^(B) most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.^(C)

To the Church in Philadelphia

⁷ “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia^(A) write:

Request for Prayer

3 As for other matters, brothers and sisters,^(A) pray for us^(B) that the message of the Lord^(C) may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.^{(D) 2} And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people,^(E) for not everyone has faith.

²⁶ the mystery^(A) that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.

⁷ It is right^(A) for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart^(B) and, whether I am in chains^(C) or defending^(D) and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.

Ministers of the New Covenant

¹² Now when I went to Troas^(A) to preach the gospel of Christ^(B) and found that the Lord had opened a door^(C) for me,