convinced of this same [thing], that the one who began a good work in you will finish [it] until the day of Christ Jesus,

just as it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart, [since] both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel all of you are sharers of grace with me.

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

{What is the result?} Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. But also I will rejoice,

for I know that this will turn out to me for deliverance through your prayer and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

But if [it is] to live in the flesh, this [is] fruitful work for me, and which I will prefer [I do] not know.

But I am hard pressed {between the two options}, having the desire to depart and to be with Christ, {for this is very much better}.

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

and not letting yourselves be intimidated in anything by your opponents, which is a sign of destruction to them, but of your salvation, and this from God,

Think this in yourselves which [was] also in Christ Jesus,

Not that I have already received [this], or [have] already been made perfect, but I press on if indeed I may lay hold of [that] for which also I was laid hold of by Christ.

Therefore as many as [are] perfect, {let us hold this opinion}, and if you think anything differently, God will reveal this also to you.

Become fellow imitators of me, brothers, and observe those who walk in this way, just as you have us [as] an example.