But for now ¹  I have considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. For he is my brother, ²  coworker and fellow soldier, and your messenger ³  and minister ⁴  to me in my need. 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.

I am thankful to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, ¹  when I remember you in my prayers as I do constantly night and day. ² 

For to which of the angels did God ¹  ever say, “You are my son! Today I have fathered you”? ²  And in another place ³  he says, ⁴  “I will be his father and he will be my son.” ⁵ 

For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my anger, ‘They will never enter my rest!’” ¹  And yet God’s works ²  were accomplished from the foundation of the world.

‘I know your deeds. (Look! I have put ¹  in front of you an open door that no one can shut.) ²  I know ³  that you have little strength, ⁴  but ⁵  you have obeyed ⁶  my word and have not denied my name.

I will grant the one ¹  who conquers ²  permission ³  to sit with me on my throne, just as I too conquered ⁴  and sat down with my Father on his throne.

So ¹  I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it, and it did taste ²  as sweet as honey in my mouth, but ³  when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter.

And ¹  a voice from heaven said, ²  “This is my one dear Son; ³  in him ⁴  I take great delight.” ⁵ 

For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ ¹  and they will mislead many.

But if ¹  that evil slave should say to himself, ²  ‘My master is staying away a long time,’

And a voice came from heaven: “You are my one dear Son; ¹  in you I take great delight.” ² 

Jesus ¹  asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “My name is Legion, ²  for we are many.”

He had one left, his one dear son. ¹  Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

He said to them, “This is my blood, the blood ¹  of the covenant, ²  that is poured out for many.

He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay alert.”

You gave me no kiss of greeting, ¹  but from the time I entered she has not stopped kissing my feet.

Jesus ¹  said to another, “Follow me.” But he replied, ²  “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

Yet ¹  another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say goodbye to my family.” ² 

Then ¹  someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell ²  my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”