For though ¹  I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, rejoicing to see ²  your morale ³  and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

At the same time pray ¹  for us too, that ²  God may open a door for the message ³  so that we may proclaim ⁴  the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. ⁵ 

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my physical body – for the sake of his body, the church – what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ.

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, ¹  and for those in Laodicea, and for those who have not met me face to face. ² 

I say this so that no one will deceive you through arguments ¹  that sound reasonable. ² 

I, Paul, write this greeting by my own hand. ¹  Remember my chains. ²  Grace be with you. ³ 

I sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing ¹  and that he may encourage your hearts.

Toward this goal ¹  I also labor, struggling according to his power that powerfully ²  works in me.

Tychicus, a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave ¹  in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. ² 

I became a servant of the church according to the stewardship ¹  from God – given to me for you – in order to complete ²  the word of God,

I sent him ¹  with Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. ²  They will tell ³  you about everything here.

if indeed you remain in the faith, established and firm, ¹  without shifting ²  from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has also been preached in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become its servant.