4 A soldier wants to please his commanding officer, so he does not spend any time on activities that are not a part of his duty.
5 Athletes in a race must obey all the rules to win.
6 The farmer who works hard deserves the first part of the harvest.
7 Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand it all.
8 Remember Jesus Christ. He is from the family of David. After Jesus died, he was raised from death. This is the Good News that I tell people.
9 And because I tell that message, I am suffering. I am even bound with chains like someone who has really done wrong. But God’s message is not bound.
10 So I patiently accept all these troubles. I do this to help the people God has chosen so that they can have the salvation that is in Christ Jesus. With this salvation comes glory that never ends.