Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened to me have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel;

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

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.

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

For indeed he was sick nigh to 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 man thinketh that he hath reason to trust in the flesh, I more:

Yes doubtless, and I count all things to be loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them to be dung, that I may win Christ,

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are before,

Nevertheless, to what we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them who walk so as ye have us for an example.

(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace will be with you.

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, with that to be content.

Notwithstanding ye have done well, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

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