It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.

Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;

Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,

So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.

For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you.

For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow.

I have sent him all the more eagerly, therefore, so that when you see him again you may rejoice, and that I may be less anxious.

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 myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more:

However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.

Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

Nevertheless, to what we have attained, to the same continue on.

Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.

But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity.

Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.

I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.

But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.