for your cooperation in spreading the good news, from the first day you heard it until now.

Now I want you to rest assured, brothers, that those things which have befallen me have actually resulted in the progress of the good news;

the latter, indeed, are doing so from love to me, for they know that I am providentially put here to defend the good news;

for I know that through your prayers and a bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my spiritual welfare,

in accordance with my eager expectation and hope that I shall never disgrace myself, but that now as always hitherto, by my all-conquering courage, whether by living or dying, Christ will be honored in me.

Now since I am certain of this, I know that I shall stay on and stay by you all to promote the progress of your faith

So, my dearly loved friends, as you have always been obedient, so now with reverence and awe keep on working clear down to the finishing point of your salvation not only as though I were with you but much more because I am away;

For I have no one else with a heart like his who would take such genuine interest in you,

But you know his tested character, how like a son in fellowship with his father he has toiled with me like a slave in preaching the good news.

But I think it proper now to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow-laborer, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger to minister to my needs,

Yes, I long to come to know Him; that is, the power of His resurrection and so to share with Him his sufferings as to be continuously transformed by His death,

For there are many, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you in tears, who practice living as the enemies of the cross of Christ.

Now, brothers, practice thinking on what is true, what is honorable, what is right, what is pure, what is lovable, what is high-toned, yes, on everything that is excellent or praiseworthy.

I know how to live in lowly circumstances and I know how to live in plenty. I have learned the secret, in all circumstances, of either getting a full meal or of going hungry, of living in plenty or being in want.

And you Philippians yourselves know that immediately after the good news was first preached to you, when I left Macedonia, no church but yours went into partnership with me to open an account of credits and debits.