that ye might accept things most excellent, that ye might be pure and such as should hurt no man's conscience, until the day of Christ;

And thus it has become notorious among all the Imperial Guards, and everywhere, that it is for the sake of Christ that I am a prisoner;

yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake.

And since I am sure of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for the sake of your progress and joy in the faith,

So, [whatever happens], live your daily lives in such a way as to be worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or remain absent from you, I will hear about you, that you are standing firm in one spirit [i.e., united in purpose, and] contending with one mind for the faith of the Gospel [i.e., for the body of Christian teaching].

And in no way be alarmed or intimidated [in anything] by your opponents, for such [constancy and fearlessness on your part] is a [clear] sign [a proof and a seal] for them of [their impending] destruction, but [a clear sign] for you of deliverance and salvation, and that too, from God.

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

the same conflict having, such as ye saw in me, and now hear of in me.

for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort -- for the sake of his good pleasure -- is God.

so that you will be without just blame and innocent [of wrongdoing], children of God without fault in the middle of a crooked and perverted generation of people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky,

For I have no one like him who would take such a real interest in you.

For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

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

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:

because for the sake of the work he drew near even to death, venturing his life that he might fill up what lacked in your ministration toward me.

However I, myself, have [reasons for such] confidence in the flesh. [But] if any other person has [reasons for placing] confidence in the flesh, I have more [reasons].

As to zeal, I was a persecutor of the Church; as to such righteousness as is due to Law, I proved myself blameless.

But whatever former things were gains to me [as I thought then], these things [once regarded as advancements in merit] I have come to consider as loss [absolutely worthless] for the sake of Christ [and the purpose which He has given my life].

But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ,

Only, we must let our steps be guided by such truth as we have attained.

The end of such men is Ruin; for their appetites are their God, and they glory in their shame; their minds are given up to earthly things.

Not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increaseth to your account.

You have paid me in full, and more too. I am fully supplied with what I have received from you through Epaphroditus. It is like fragrant incense, just such a sacrifice as God welcomes and approves.