7. God's Spirit doesn't make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.
8. Don't be ashamed to speak for our Lord. And don't be ashamed of me, just because I am in jail for serving him. Use the power that comes from God and join with me in suffering for telling the good news.
9. God saved us and chose usto be his holy people.We did nothingto deserve this,but God planned itbecause he is so kind.Even before time beganGod planned for Christ Jesusto show kindness to us.
10. Now Christ Jesus has cometo show us the kindnessof God.Christ our Saviour defeated deathand brought usthe good news.It shines like a lightand offers lifethat never ends.
11. My work is to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.
12. That's why I am suffering now. But I am not ashamed! I know the one I have faith in, and I am sure that he can guard until the last day what he has trusted me with.
13. Now follow the example of the correct teaching I gave you, and let the faith and love of Christ Jesus be your model.
14. You have been trusted with a wonderful treasure. Guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit, who lives within you.
15. You know that everyone in Asia has turned against me, especially Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16. I pray that the Lord will be kind to the family of Onesiphorus. He often cheered me up and wasn't ashamed of me when I was put in jail.
17. Then after he arrived in Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me.
18. I pray that the Lord Jesus will ask God to show mercy to Onesiphorus on the day of judgment. You know how much he helped me in Ephesus.