Chapter I.—As a prisoner, I hope to see you. Through prayer342 to God I have obtained the privilege of seeing your most worthy faces,343 and have even344 been granted more than I requested; for I hope as a prisoner in Christ Jesus to salute you, if indeed it be the will of God that I be thought worthy of attaining 74 unto the end. For the beginning has been well ordered, if I may obtain grace to cling to345 my lot without hindrance unto the end. For I am afraid of your love,346 lest it should do me an injury. For it is easy for you to accomplish what you please; but it is difficult for me to attain to God, if ye spare me. Throughprayer to God I have obtained the privilege of seeing your most worthy faces,347 even as I earnestly begged might be granted me; for as a prisoner in Christ Jesus I hope to salute you, if indeed it be the will [of God] that I be thought worthy of attaining unto the end. For the beginning has been well ordered, if I may obtain grace to cling to348 my lot without hindrance unto the end. For I am afraid of your love,349 lest it should do me an injury. For it is easy for you to accomplish what you please; but it is difficult for me to attain to God, if ye do not spare me,350 under the pretence of carnal affection. 342 Some read, “since I have,” leaving out the following “for,” and finding the apodosis in “I hope to salute you.” 343 Literally, “worthy of God.” 344 Some read, “which I much desired to do.” 345 Literally, “to receive.” 346 He probably refers here, and in what follows, to the influence which their earnest prayers in his behalf might have with God. 347 Literally, “worthy of God.” 348 Literally, “to receive.” 349 He probably refers here, and in what follows, to the influence which their earnest prayers in his behalf might have with God. 350 Some read γε instead of μή, and translate as in shorter recension. Chapter I.—As a prisoner, I hope to see you. 199 Chapter I.—As a prisoner, I hope to see you.