²² If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!

² As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires,^(A) but rather for the will of God.

²⁴ but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ^(A) and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.^(B) The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,^(C) who loved me^(D) and gave himself for me.^(E)

¹⁷ “Now, fellow Israelites,^(A) I know that you acted in ignorance,^(B) as did your leaders.^(C)

³ For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.^(A)

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.

² God did not reject his people,^(A) whom he foreknew.^(B) Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: