and the favour I ask of him is this, that your kindness to me may be crown'd with farther improvements in knowledge and all prudence;

My imprisonment in [the cause of] Christ has become common knowledge throughout the whole praetorian (imperial) guard and to everyone else.

It is true that some do proclaim the Christ out of Jealousy and opposition; but there are others who proclaim him from good- will.

These latter preach Him from love to me, knowing that I am here for the defence of the Good News;

while the others proclaim Him from motives of rivalry, and insincerely, supposing that by this they are embittering my imprisonment.

For it has been granted you in Christ's behalf, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake,

Therefore if there is any encouragement and comfort in Christ [as there certainly is in abundance], if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship [that we share] in the Spirit, if [there is] any [great depth of] affection and compassion,

Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility],

Nevertheless, he made himself of no reputation, and took on him the shape of a servant, and became like unto men, and was found in his apparel as a man.

and in what appertained to him appearing as a man, he humbled himself, and was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

And for this God highly exalted him, and graciously bestowed upon him the name which is above every name;

For it is God who is producing in you both the desire and the ability to do what pleases him.

For I have no other like him with a genuine concern for your welfare,

Ye know the proof of him, how that as a son with the father, so with me bestowed he his labour upon the gospel.

So I hope to send him, as soon as ever I see how it will go with me;

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,

I send him because he is longing to see you all and is distressed at your having heard of his illness.

And indeed he was sick nigh unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also so that I should not have sorrow upon sorrow.

Therefore I have been the more eager to send him, in order that you may rejoice in seeing him again, and that I may have one sorrow less.

Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold in honor men like him;

Finally, my fellow believers, continue to rejoice and delight in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble for me, and it is a safeguard for you.

For we are the true circumcision, who by the Spirit of God worship Him, who take pride in Christ Jesus only, and do not rely on outward privileges,

Though I could rely on outward privilege, if I chose. Whoever thinks he can rely on that, I can outdo him.

yes, indeed, and I count all things to be loss, because of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, because of whom of the all things I suffered loss, and do count them to be refuse, that Christ I may gain, and be found in him,

and be found in him; not having my own righteousness of the Law, but that alone which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which comes from God, founded upon faith.

I long to know him in the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, by sharing the likeness of his death;

In the hope that, if I become like him in death, I may possibly attain to the resurrection from the dead.

He will change our unassuming bodies and make them like his glorious body through the power that enables him to bring everything under his authority.

Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice!

I am strong for everything in Him who gives me strength.

To him, our God and Father, be ascribed all glory for every and ever. Amen.