even as it is righteous for me to think this of you all, because you have me in your heart, inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partakers of my grace.

But I desire that you should understand, brothers, that the things which happened to me have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel;

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, cultivate your own salvation with fear and trembling.

holding forth the Word of Life, so that I may rejoice with you in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain nor labored in vain.

For I have no one who is like-minded, who will naturally care for your state.

For indeed he was sick, coming near death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

For we are the circumcision who worship God in the spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh;

though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other thinks that he has reason to trust in the flesh, I more.

But no, rather, I also count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them to be dung, so that I may win Christ

My brothers, I do not count myself to have taken possession, but one thing I do, forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the things before,

Yet, as to what we have already attained, let us walk in the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Brothers, be imitators together of me, and mark those who walk this way, for you have us for a pattern.

(For many are walking, of whom I have told you often and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ;

Do those things which you have also learned and received and heard and seen in me. And the God of peace shall be with you.

Not that I speak according to need, for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am.

But I have all, and abound. I have been filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things which you sent, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable and well-pleasing to God.