16. And don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with others, because sacrifices like these are very pleasing to God.
17. Obey your leaders. Be willing to do what they say. They are responsible for your spiritual welfare, so they are always watching to protect you. Obey them so that their work will give them joy, not grief. It won’t help you to make it hard for them.
18. Continue praying for us. We feel right about what we do, because we always try to do what is best.
19. And I beg you to pray that God will send me back to you soon. I want this more than anything else.
20-21. I pray that the God of peace will give you every good thing you need so that you can do what he wants. God is the one who raised from death our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of his sheep. He raised him because Jesus sacrificed his blood to begin the new agreement that never ends. I pray that God will work through Jesus Christ to do the things in us that please him. To him be glory forever. Amen.
22. My brothers and sisters, I beg you to listen patiently to what I have said. I wrote this letter to strengthen you. And it is not very long.
23. I want you to know that our brother Timothy is out of prison. If he comes to me soon, we will both come to see you.
24. Give my greetings to all your leaders and to all God’s people. All those from Italy send you their greetings.
25. God’s grace be with you all.