From Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.

Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill.

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that -- whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent -- I should hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel,

since you are encountering the same conflict that you saw me face and now hear that I am facing.

Others are busy with their own concerns, not those of Jesus Christ.

For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, exult in Christ Jesus, and do not rely on human credentials

-- though mine too are significant. If someone thinks he has good reasons to put confidence in human credentials, I have more:

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead,

Therefore let those of us who are "perfect" embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways.

Be imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and watch carefully those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example.

For many live, about whom I have often told you, and now, with tears, I tell you that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.

Yes, I say also to you, true companion, help them. They have struggled together in the gospel ministry along with me and Clement and my other coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.