always in every prayer of mine for you all, making request with joy,

for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day even until now;

as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I bear you on my heart, both in my bonds and in my defence and the confirmation of the gospel, as being all of you sharers in my grace.

For God is my witness, how earnestly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

but the others of love, knowing that I am exposed for the defence of the gospel.

For I know that this shall issue in my salvation through your prayers, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

For I am in a strait between the two, having an earnest longing to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, for this is far, far better:

but to abide in the flesh may be more necessary for you.

And being so persuaded, I know that I shall stay and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith;

that your glorying may abound in Christ Jesus for me by my coming again unto you.

For this favour on the part of Christ is granted you, not only that ye should believe on him, but also that ye should suffer for his sake;

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always been obedient, not only during my presence with you, but now much more in my absence, with fear and trembling work out your own salvation.

For it is God who worketh effectually in you both to will and to perform of his good pleasure.

For I have no one like minded with him, who will genuinely care for your affairs.

For all seek their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.

For indeed he greatly longed after you all, and was very sorry that ye had heard that he had been sick.

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

for in the work of Christ he was nigh unto death indifferent about life, that he might afford me that service which it was not in your power to render me.

MOREOVER, brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not irksome, but is safe for you.

For we are the circumcision, who serve God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.

But what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the transcendently excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but as offals of ordure, that I may gain Christ,

Not that I have already attained, or am now perfect: but I pursue, that I may overtake that for which also by his apprehension of me I am destined by Christ Jesus.

I press towards the mark for the prize of the divine calling from on high in Christ Jesus.

Nevertheless, so far as we have advanced, be it our care to walk by the same rule, to mind the same thing.

Be ye imitators, brethren, of me, and eye attentively those who walk so as ye have us for an example.

For many walk, whom I have often mentioned to you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Not that I mention this with a view to my indigence: for I have learned in whatever circumstances I am, to be content.

I am enabled for all things by Christ who strengtheneth me.

For in Thessalonica also ye sent me once, yea twice, a supply for my want.

Not that I am anxious for a gift; but I am anxious to see fruit abounding on your account.

Now to God, even our Father, be glory for ever and ever. Amen.