I greet you from Smyrna together with the Churches of God that are here with me; they have refreshed me in every way, in flesh and in spirit.
My chains exhort you, which I carry for the sake of Jesus Christ while asking to attain God. Continue in your harmony and in prayer with one another. For it is fitting for each of you individually, and especially for the presbyters, to refresh the bishop for the honor of the Father, of Jesus Christ, and of the apostles.
I pray that you hear me in love, so that by writing I may not become a witness against you. And pray for me also, since I need the love that comes from you in the mercy of God, so that I may be counted worthy of the lot I am set on obtaining, lest I be found disqualified.