I thank my God for all your remembrance of me;

in all my prayers for you all I always pray with a sense of joy

for what you have contributed to the gospel from the very first day down to this moment;

It is only natural for me to be thinking of you all in this way, for alike in my prison and as I defend and vindicate the gospel, I bear in mind how you all share with me in the grace divine.

(God is my witness that I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus himself!)

but the former proclaim Christ for their own ends, with mixed motives, intending to annoy me as I lie in prison.

What does it matter? Anyhow, for ulterior ends or honestly, Christ is being proclaimed, and I rejoice over that; yes and I will rejoice over it.

The outcome of all this, I know, will be my release, as you continue to pray for me, and as I am provided with the Spirit of Jesus Christ ??20 my eager desire and hope being that I may never feel ashamed but that now as ever I may do honour to Christ in my own person by fearless courage. Whether that means life or death, no matter!

But then, if it is to be life here below, that means fruitful work for me. So ??well, I cannot tell which to choose;

I am in a dilemma between the two. My strong desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far the best.

But for your sakes it is necessary I should live on here below.

Only, do lead a life that is worthy of the gospel of Christ. Whether I come and see you or only hear of you in absence, let me know you are standing firm in a common spirit, fighting side by side like one man for the faith of the gospel.

Never be scared for a second by your opponents; your fearlessness is a clear omen of ruin for them and of your own salvation ??at the hands of God.

For on behalf of Christ you have the favour of suffering no less than of believing in him,

never acting for private ends or from vanity, but humbly considering each other the better man,

for it is God who in his goodwill enables you to will this and to achieve it.

hold fast the word of life, so that I can be proud of you on the Day of Christ, because I have not run or worked for nothing.

I have no one like him, for genuine interest in your welfare.

Everybody is selfish, instead of caring for Jesus Christ.

As for Epaphroditus, however, my brother, my fellow-worker, my fellow-soldier, and your messenger to meet my wants, I think it necessary to send you him at once,

for he has been yearning for you all. He has been greatly concerned because you heard he was ill.

for he nearly died in the service of Christ by risking his life to make up for the services you were not here to render me.

Well then, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. I am repeating this word 'rejoice' in my letter, but that does not tire me and it is the safe course for you. ??2 Beware of these dogs, these wicked workmen, the incision-party!

But for Christ's sake I have learned to count my former gains a loss;

indeed I count anything a loss, compared to the supreme value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have lost everything (I count it all the veriest refuse) in order to gain Christ

Brothers, I for one do not consider myself to have appropriated this; my one thought is, by forgetting what lies behind me and straining to what lies before me,

to press on to the goal for the prize of God's high call in Christ Jesus.

For all those of our number who are mature, this must be the point of view; God will reveal that to any of you who look at things differently.

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

But we are a colony of heaven, and we wait for the Saviour who comes from heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ,

So then, my brothers, for whom I cherish love and longing, my joy and crown, this is how you must stand firm in the Lord, O my beloved.

It was a great joy to me in the Lord that your care for me could revive again; for what you lacked was never the care but the chance of showing it.

Not that I complain of want, for I have learned how to be content wherever I am.

I know how to live humbly; I also know how to live in prosperity. I have been initiated into the secret for all sorts and conditions of life, for plenty and for hunger, for prosperity and for privations.

In him who strengthens me I am able for anything.

even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent money more than once for my needs.

It is not the money I am anxious for; what I am anxious for is the interest that accumulates in this way to your divine credit!

Glory to God our Father for ever and ever: Amen.