And I have a right to feel in this way about you all, because both when I am in prison and when I am defending and vindicating our right to preach the good news, I have you in my heart as all sharing that privilege with me.

so that you may have a sense of what is vital, and may be men of transparent character and blameless life, in preparation for the Day of Christ,

and so most of the Christian brothers have been exceedingly encouraged by my example to declare God's message without any fear of the consequences.

For you have been granted the privilege not only of trusting in Christ but of suffering for him.

Take your part in the same struggle that you have seen me engage in and that you hear I am still keeping up.

Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

So, my dear friends, as you have always been obedient, with reverence and awe make every effort to insure your salvation, not simply as though I were with you, but all the more because I am away.

offering men the message of life. Then I will have reason to boast of you on the Day of Christ, because my exertion and labor have not been wasted.

Even if my life is to be poured out as a libation as you offer your faith in a service of sacrifice to God, I am glad to have it so, and I congratulate you upon it,

For I have no one like him who would take such a real interest in you.

So I am all the more eager to send him, so that you may have the pleasure of seeing him again, and I may feel more relieved.

for he came near dying for the Lord's work, and risked his life to make up for what was lacking in the service you have done me.

But for the sake of Christ I have come to count my former gains as loss.

Why, I count everything as loss compared with the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have lost everything, and think it rubbish, in order to gain Christ

and be known to be united to him, with any uprightness I may have not based on law but coming through faith in Christ??he uprightness that comes from God through faith.

Not that I have secured it yet, or already reached perfection, but I am pressing on to see if I can capture it, because I have been captured by Jesus Christ.

Brothers, I do not consider that I have captured it yet, only, forgetting what is behind me, and straining toward what lies ahead,

Let as many of us therefore as are mature have this attitude. If you have any different attitude, God will make this clear to you.

Only we must live up to what we have already attained.

Follow my example, brothers, all of you, and notice those who follow the pattern we have set you.

For there are many who live, as I have often told you, and tell you now with tears, like enemies of the cross of Christ.

Have no anxiety about anything, but make all your wants known to God in prayer and entreaty, and with thanksgiving.

I was very glad, as a Christian, to have your interest in me revive again after so long; for you have always been interested, but you have had no opportunity to show it.

Not that I have anything to complain of, for I have learned how to be contented with the condition I am in.

I know how to live humbly and I know how to enjoy plenty. I have learned the secret, in any and all conditions, of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of going without.

Not that I want your gifts, but I want you to have the profits that will accumulate to your credit.

You have paid me in full, and more too. I am fully supplied with what I have received from you through Epaphroditus. It is like fragrant incense, just such a sacrifice as God welcomes and approves.