For God is my witness how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus himself.

But you know his character, and how like a son helping his father he has worked like a slave with me in preaching the good news.

So I hope to send him to you just as soon as I can see how my case is going to turn out.

Not that I have anything to complain of, for I have learned how to be contented with the condition I am in.

I know how to live humbly and I know how to enjoy plenty. I have learned the secret, in any and all conditions, of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of going without.