1Chapter 9 — Pray for the church in Syria.
2Remember in your prayers the Church in Syria, which now has God for its shepherd, instead of me.
3Jesus Christ alone will oversee it, and your love will also regard it.
4But as for me, I am ashamed to be counted one of them; for indeed I am not worthy, as being the very last of them, and one born out of due time.
5But I have obtained mercy to be somebody, if I shall attain to God.
6My spirit salutes you, and the love of the Churches that have received me in the name of Jesus Christ, and not as a mere passer-by.
7For even those Churches which were not near to me in the way, I mean according to the flesh, have gone before me, city by city, to meet me.
8Remember in your prayers the Church which is in Syria, which, instead of me, has now for its shepherd the Lord, who says, "I am the good Shepherd".
9And He alone will oversee it, as well as your love towards Him.
10But as for me, I am ashamed to be counted one of them; for I am not worthy, as being the very last of them, and one born out of due time.
11But I have obtained mercy to be somebody, if I shall attain to God.
12My spirit salutes you, and the love of the Churches which have received me in the name of Jesus Christ, and not as a mere passer-by.
13For even those Churches which were not near to me in the way, have brought me forward, city by city.