Always, in every prayer that I offer for you all--my prayers are full of joy--

For of this I am confident, that he who began a good work in you will complete it in readiness for the Day of Jesus Christ.

And what I pray for is this--that your love may grow yet stronger and stronger, with increasing knowledge and all discernment,

It has even become evident, not only to all the Imperial Guard, but to every one else, that it is for Christ's sake that I am in chains.

And besides this, most of our Brothers have gained confidence in the Lord through my chains, and now venture with far greater freedom to speak of God's Message fearlessly.

The latter do it from love for me, knowing that I have been appointed to plead the cause of the Good News.

Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that, through your prayers and through a rich supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 'all this will make for my Salvation.'

And this will fulfil my earnest expectation and hope that I shall have no cause for shame, but that, with unfailing courage, now as hitherto, Christ will be honored in my body, whether by my life or by my death,

For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.

My own desire is to depart and be with Christ, for this would be far better.

But, for your sakes, it may be more needful that I should still remain here in the body.

So that, when you once more have me among you, you, in your union with Christ Jesus, may find in me fresh cause for exultation.

Under all circumstances let your lives be worthy of the Good News of the Christ: so that, whether I come and see you, or whether I hear of your affairs at a distance, I may know that you are standing firm, animated by one spirit, and joining with one heart in a common struggle for the Faith taught by the Good News,

For, on behalf of Christ, you have had the privilege granted you, not only of trusting in him, but also of suffering on his behalf.

Offering to men the Message of Life; and then I shall be able at the Day of Christ to boast that I did not run my course for nothing, or toil for nothing.

For I have no one but him to send--no one of kindred spirit who would take the same genuine interest in your welfare.

But you know what Timothy has proved himself to be, and how, like a child working for his father, he worked hard with me in spreading the Good News.

Still I think it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you now, for he is my brother, fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier, and he was also your messenger to help me in my need.

For he has been longing to see you all, and has been distressed because you heard of his illness.

For it was owing to his devotion to the Master's work that he was at the point of death, having risked his own life in the effort to supply what was wanting in the help that you sent me.

In conclusion, my Brothers, all joy be yours in your union with the Lord. To repeat what I have already written does not weary me, and is the safe course for you.

For it is we who are the circumcised--we whose worship is prompted by the Spirit of God, who exult in Christ Jesus, and who do not rely upon external privileges;

Though I, if any man, have cause to rely even upon them. If any one thinks he can rely upon external privileges, far more can I!

But all the things which I once held to be gains I have now, for the Christ's sake, come to count as loss.

More than that, I count everything as loss, for the sake of the exceeding value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. And for his sake I have lost everything, and count it as refuse, if I may but gain Christ and be found in union with him;

Not that I have already laid hold of it, or that I am already made perfect. But I press on, in the hope of actually laying hold of that for which indeed I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

For I, Brothers, do not regard myself as having yet laid hold of it. But this one thing I do--forgetting what lies behind, and straining every nerve for that which lies in front,

For there are many--of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears--who are living in enmity to the cross of the Christ.

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.

But the State of which we are citizens is in Heaven; and it is from Heaven that we are eagerly looking for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Do not think that I am saying this under the pressure of want. For I, however I am placed, have learned to be independent of circumstances.

And you at Philippi know, as well as I, that in the early days of the Good News--at the time when I had just left Macedonia--no Church, with the one exception of yourselves, had anything to do with me as far as giving and receiving are concerned.

It is not that I am anxious for your gifts, but I am anxious to see the abundant return that will be placed to your account. I have enough of everything, and to spare.

To him, our God and Father, be ascribed all glory for every and ever. Amen.