And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,

and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.

yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you.

although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:

More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,

for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.