of this I am confident, that he who has begun the good work in you will go on completing it until the day of Jesus Christ.

(God is my witness that I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus himself!)

And it is my prayer that your love may be more and more rich in knowledge and all manner of insight, enabling you to have a sense of what is vital,

so that you may be transparent and no harm to anyone in view of the day of Christ,

your life covered with that harvest of righteousness which Jesus Christ produces to the glory and the praise of God.

I would have you understand, my brothers, that my affairs have really tended to advance the gospel;

throughout the whole of the praetorian guard and everywhere else it is recognized that I am imprisoned on account of my connexion with Christ,

the latter do it from love to me, knowing that I am set here to defend the gospel,

What does it matter? Anyhow, for ulterior ends or honestly, Christ is being proclaimed, and I rejoice over that; yes and I will rejoice over it.

The outcome of all this, I know, will be my release, as you continue to pray for me, and as I am provided with the Spirit of Jesus Christ ??20 my eager desire and hope being that I may never feel ashamed but that now as ever I may do honour to Christ in my own person by fearless courage. Whether that means life or death, no matter!

But then, if it is to be life here below, that means fruitful work for me. So ??well, I cannot tell which to choose;

I am in a dilemma between the two. My strong desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far the best.

Only, do lead a life that is worthy of the gospel of Christ. Whether I come and see you or only hear of you in absence, let me know you are standing firm in a common spirit, fighting side by side like one man for the faith of the gospel.

by waging the same conflict that, as once you saw and now you hear, I wage myself.

so that before the Name of Jesus every knee should bend in heaven, on earth, and underneath the earth,

and every tongue confess that 'Jesus Christ is Lord,' to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have been obedient always and not simply when I was present, so, now that I am absent, work all the more strenuously at your salvation with reverence and trembling,

In all that you do, avoid grumbling and disputing,

hold fast the word of life, so that I can be proud of you on the Day of Christ, because I have not run or worked for nothing.

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send you Timotheus before long, that I may be heartened by news of you.

I hope to send him then, as soon as ever I see how it will go with me ??24 though I am confident in the Lord that I shall be coming myself before long.

So I am specially eager to send him, that you may be glad when you see him again, and thus my own anxiety may be lightened.

Give him a welcome in the Lord, then, with your hearts full of joy. Value men like that,

Well then, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. I am repeating this word 'rejoice' in my letter, but that does not tire me and it is the safe course for you. ??2 Beware of these dogs, these wicked workmen, the incision-party!

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

and be found at death in him, possessing no legal righteousness of my own but the righteousness of faith in Christ, the divine righteousness that rests on faith.

Not that I have already attained this or am already perfect, but I press forward to appropriate it, because I have been appropriated myself by Christ Jesus.

For all those of our number who are mature, this must be the point of view; God will reveal that to any of you who look at things differently.

who will transform the body that belongs to our low estate till it resembles the body of his Glory, by the same power that enables him to make everything subject to himself.

so shall God's peace, that surpasses all our dreams, keep guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

It was a great joy to me in the Lord that your care for me could revive again; for what you lacked was never the care but the chance of showing it.

Not that I complain of want, for I have learned how to be content wherever I am.

You Philippians are well aware that in the early days of the gospel, when I had left Macedonia, no church but yourselves had any financial dealings with me;

It is not the money I am anxious for; what I am anxious for is the interest that accumulates in this way to your divine credit!

Your debt to me is fully paid and more than paid! I am amply supplied with what you have sent by Epaphroditus, a fragrant perfume, the sort of sacrifice that God approves and welcomes.