for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may be able to speak boldly as I ought to speak.

An unreliable ¹  messenger falls ²  into trouble, ³  but a faithful envoy ⁴  brings ⁵  healing.

I said, ¹  “I have heard a message from the Lord. A messenger has been sent among the nations to say, ‘Gather your armies and march out against her! Prepare to do battle with her!’” ² 

The vision ¹  that Obadiah ²  saw. ³  The Lord God ⁴  says this concerning ⁵  Edom: ⁶ We have heard a report from the Lord. An envoy was sent among the nations, saying, ⁷  “Arise! Let us make war against Edom!” ⁸ 

So, although I have quite a lot of confidence in Christ and could command you to do what is proper,

I would rather appeal ¹  to you on the basis of love – I, Paul, an old man ²  and even now a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus ³  –