3 Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.
5 And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.
6 And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor.
7 Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.
8 Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach.
9 And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained.