Small Man to the Sacred Family in Village of Horses 4
4
1My sacred family members, how I long to be with you. You are like feathers in my headdress, making my heart dance. I have shown you how to stand firm on the solid ground of the Chosen One. So now, my much-loved ones, stand firm!
URGENT COUNSEL FOR TWO WOMEN
2My strong counsel to Good Journey Woman (Euodia) and Blessing Way Woman (Syntyche) is for them to walk hand in hand in their life together with our Honored Chief. 3I also ask you, Burden Bearer (Syzygus), to be true to your name and help these women who have shared my struggle in the telling of the good story. These women have also worked side by side with Walks with Kindness (Clement) and all the others whose names are written down in Creator’s book of life.
DANCING FOR JOY AND WALKING IN PEACE
4Always dance with joy before our Honored Chief! I will say it again: dance with joy! 5Let everyone see how kind and thoughtful you are. Our Honored Chief is close at hand. 6Do not let your hearts be weighed down with anything. Instead, with every step you take, send your voice to the Great Spirit, asking him for the things you need. And in all your prayers remember to give him thanks. 7Then the peace and harmony of the Great Spirit, which goes far beyond our small and weak ways of thinking, will watch over your hearts and minds through the Chosen One, Creator Sets Free (Jesus).
8Last of all, my sacred family members, if anything can be seen as good and honorable, think deeply about these things. Things that are true and noble, upright and pure, full of beauty and worthy of respect. 9Follow the way of life you have seen in me, the things you have learned from me, heard from me, and received from me. Keep walking in the traditions I have passed on to you. Then the Great Spirit of Peace will continue to walk with you on this road.
CREATOR WILL TAKE CARE OF ALL OUR NEEDS
10My heart is dancing for joy before our Honored Chief! For even though in the past you did not have the chance to show how deeply you care for me, you have shown once again how much you truly care.
11You should not think that I am looking for you to take care of my needs, for I have learned how to be at peace with whatever the Great Spirit has provided. 12I have lived with less than I need, and I have lived with more than I need. I have learned the secret of walking the road of life. Whether I am well-fed or hungry, whether I have more than I need or not enough, 13I can do all things through the Chosen One who gives me strength! 14All the same, you have done well to help me during my time of trouble.
15My friends who live in Village of Horses (Philippi), you remember those early days when I first told you about the good story. How that after I left Land of Tall People (Macedonia), you were the only sacred family that walked together with me in giving and receiving. 16Even when I was in the village of False Victory (Thessalonica), you sent gifts to me more than once. 17It is not your gifts that I am seeking after but all the good things that giving will add to your lives.
18But now I have received more than I need. My blanket has been filled with good things. The gifts that Walks with Beauty (Epaphroditus) brought from you are like a sweet-smelling smoke offering —a sacrificial gift, pleasing to the Great Spirit. 19And I know that my Creator will take care of all your needs from the great treasures of his beauty through the Chosen One, Creator Sets Free (Jesus).
LAST WORDS
20All honor and beauty belong to our Father the Great Spirit to the time beyond the end of all days. Aho! May it be so!
21Greet all of Creator’s holy ones among you, each one who belongs to the Chosen One, Creator Sets Free (Jesus). The sacred family members who are with me send their greetings. 22All of Creator’s holy ones send their greetings to you, most of all the ones who serve in the royal lodge of the Ruler of the People of Iron (Caesar).
23May the great kindness of our Honored Chief, Creator Sets Free (Jesus) the Chosen One, guide your spirit on the road of life.
Aho! May it be so!
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Small Man to the Sacred Family in Village of Horses 4: FNVNT
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