as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be ashamed in anything, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to deatheven death on a cross.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

But you know that he has proved his worth, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.

Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me;

circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;

as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

But whatever was gain to me, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

More than that, I count everything to be loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Yes, and I ask you also, true yoke-fellow, to help these women who have struggled at my side in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.