It is but just that I should be thus mindful of you all, because I have you in my heart, and because in these fetters of mine and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel you are all my fellow partners in the privilege.

but am in a quandary between the two. I am perplexed. I have a strong desire to break camp and to be with Christ, which is far better;

Let each have an eye not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

And so, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, with reverence and self-distrust work out your own salvation;

holding out a message of life. Thus it will be my boast at the day of Christ that I have not run in vain, or toiled for nothing.

For I have no other like him with a genuine concern for your welfare,

Epaphroditus, my brother and coworker and fellow soldier, who is your messenger and minister to my needs, I have thought it necessary to send to you;

And indeed he was sick nigh unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also so that I should not have sorrow upon sorrow.

Therefore I have been the more eager to send him, in order that you may rejoice in seeing him again, and that I may have one sorrow less.

For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, and make our boast in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in outward rites,

although I myself might have confidence in outward rites. If any one else claims a right to trust in them, far more may I;

But what was once gain to me, that I have counted loss for Christ.

In very truth I count all things but loss compared to the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and esteem them but refuse that I may gain Christ,

I do not say that I have already won, or am already perfect, but I am passing on to lay hold on the prize for which also Christ has laid hold of me.

Brothers, I do not regard myself to have yet laid hold of it; but this one thing I do, forgetting what is behind me, but straining every nerve toward that which lies ahead,

if only we guide our steps by the standards we have already attained.

Brothers, be comrades in imitating me, and study those whose life and walk is according to the pattern I have set you.

Put in practise also what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me; and the God of peace shall be with you.

Not that I speak as if I were in want, for at least have learned how to be content, whatever happens.

I know how to live humbly, and I also know how to bear prosperity. In every place and under all circumstances I have been initiated into the secret of fulness and of hunger, of prosperity and of want.

Notwithstanding, you have acted nobly in making yourselves comrades in my trouble.