14 And because of my chains,(A) most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.(B)

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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.

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We had previously suffered(A) and been treated outrageously in Philippi,(B) as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.(C)

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Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

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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.

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74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
    and to enable us to serve him(A) without fear(B)

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Final Greetings

Tychicus(A) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant[a](B) in the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 4:7 Or slave; also in verse 12

Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for,(A) my joy and crown, stand firm(B) in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

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13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

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Praise to the God of All Comfort

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,(A) the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us(B) in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ,(C) so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation;(D) if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings,(E) so also you share in our comfort.

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The Believers Pray

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.(A) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.(B) 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:(C)

“‘Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
against the Lord
    and against his anointed one.[a][b](D)

27 Indeed Herod(E) and Pontius Pilate(F) met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,(G) whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.(H) 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.(I) 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders(J) through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”(K)

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.(L) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit(M) and spoke the word of God(N) boldly.(O)

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:26 That is, Messiah or Christ
  2. Acts 4:26 Psalm 2:1,2

But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.(A) Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.(B) Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.(C)

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