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¹ Y'all keep riding for the brand! Stay true to the code of Christ. I can't wait to see y'all again my friends. Y'all have proved my work was not in vain. I'm sure I'm going to get a trophy buckle in heaven for the things y'all have done on earth.

Keep on Keepin' On

² A word to Euodia and Syntyche. If y'all really ride for the Lord, then you must quit your squabblin' with each other. ³ The one reading these words or hearing them spoken, I'm asking you to be a real cowboy and step up to help settle this disagreement between these great women. They have faithfully spread the good news with me. They rode just as hard and just as far as anyone while riding with Clement and the other cowboys. All of these will surely be listed in the book of life.

⁴ Keep your chins up! Celebrate God every single day for what he has done for you. I'll say it again, get glad about what you've got! ⁵ Show kindness wherever you go. Remember, the Lord is coming back soon.

⁶ Don't fret about nothing! Instead, pray about whatever is bothering you. Pray about what you need. Pray to God and thank him for saving your sorry hide. ⁷ Only in this way will you find the peace you've been prowling the brush looking for. God's peace cannot be understood nor explained, only experienced by real hands. His peace will protect your heart and your mind as you ride for the Lord.

⁸ Finally, cowboys, whatever is sure 'nough true, whatever is just, whatever is no-nonsense, whatever is unpolluted, whatever is pretty as a newborn calf, whatever is worth admiring—if anything is worth its weight or deservin' of a smile—ponder on these things. ⁹ Keep on keepin' on with the things you heard and learned from me. That means riding for the Lord, not just walking around in your shiny boots and store-bought hat. God will ride with you and give you the peace you need.

Appreciation

¹⁰ I thank God that y'all have been worried about me. I know y'all care and you couldn't help me before because your hands were tied. ¹¹ But don't fret about that. I never really needed any real help. I've learned to live with a little or a lot. I'm content with my lot no matter what. ¹² I know how to ride with everything or nothing. I've learned the secret of life for every single trail. It doesn't matter whether your belly is full or empty. It doesn't matter if your pockets are full or empty either. ¹³ I can handle any bronc and any situation because the Lord is my strength. ¹⁴ But I do appreciate y'all snubbing for me in this latest bronc of a situation.

¹⁵ You cowboys from Philippi were the only ones to help me out financially when I brought y'all the good news. When I rode off toward Macedonia, y'all made sure I was not without. No other outfit helped me out, not one. ¹⁶ Even when I was in Thessalonica, y'all sent me some money as I gathered the lost and brought back those who'd strayed away. ¹⁷ I'm not bringing this up so y'all can send some more. I want y'all to be rewarded for what you've already done.

¹⁸ Right now my saddle bags are full. I still have much of what you sent with Epaphroditus. I know God was pleased with your offering and your sacrifice. ¹⁹ And my God will fill your life and your pastures with everything you need accordin' to everything that was given to you through Jesus. ²⁰ Glory to the Boss forever and ever!

See Y'all Later

²¹ Tell all the cowboys I said hello. The ones here with me say hello also. ²² All of God's people send their howdy, especially those in Caesar's outfit.

²³ May God's grace, which is the Lord Jesus Christ, ride with you always.