³⁰ I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit,^(A) to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.^(B)

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.

¹¹ as you help us by your prayers.^(A) Then many will give thanks^(B) on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us.^(A)

¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake,^(A) so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.

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)

Imitating Christ’s Humility

2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,^(A) if any tenderness and compassion,^(B)

²⁴ So Jacob was left alone,^(A) and a man^(B) wrestled with him till daybreak. ²⁵ When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip^(C) so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. ²⁶ Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”

But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”^(D)

²⁷ The man asked him, “What is your name?”

“Jacob,”^(E) he answered.

²⁸ Then the man said, “Your name^(F) will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,^[a](G) because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”^(H)

²⁹ Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”^(I)

But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?”^(J) Then he blessed^(K) him there.

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.