grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Some of them, it is true, are actually preaching Christ from envy and rivalry, others from goodwill;

the latter do it from love to me, knowing that I am set here to defend the gospel,

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 acting for private ends or from vanity, but humbly considering each other the better man,

and appearing in human form, he humbly stooped in his obedience even to die, and to die upon the cross.

And he was ill, nearly dead with illness. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me, to save me from having one sorrow upon another.

to see if I too can attain the resurrection from the dead.

Copy me, brothers, one and all of you, and notice those who live by the example you get from me.

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.

Practise also what you have learned and received from me, what you heard me say and what you saw me do; then the God of peace will be with you.

My God will supply all your own needs from his wealth in Glory in Christ Jesus.