and the favour I ask of him is this, that your kindness to me may be crown'd with farther improvements in knowledge and all prudence;

My imprisonment in [the cause of] Christ has become common knowledge throughout the whole praetorian (imperial) guard and to everyone else.

It is true that some do proclaim the Christ out of Jealousy and opposition; but there are others who proclaim him from good- will.

These latter preach Him from love to me, knowing that I am here for the defence of the Good News;

while the others proclaim Him from motives of rivalry, and insincerely, supposing that by this they are embittering my imprisonment.

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

Therefore if there is any encouragement and comfort in Christ [as there certainly is in abundance], if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship [that we share] in the Spirit, if [there is] any [great depth of] affection and compassion,

Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility],

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

and in what appertained to him appearing as a man, he humbled himself, and was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

For it is God who is producing in you both the desire and the ability to do what pleases him.

For I have no one else [like him who is] so kindred a spirit who will be genuinely concerned for your [spiritual] welfare.

But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.

As for Epaphroditus, however, my brother, my fellow-worker, my fellow-soldier, and your messenger to meet my wants, I think it necessary to send you him at once,

I send him because he is longing to see you all and is distressed at your having heard of his illness.

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.

I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

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

Finally, my fellow believers, continue to rejoice and delight in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble for me, and it is a safeguard for you.

For we are the true circumcision, who by the Spirit of God worship Him, who take pride in Christ Jesus only, and do not rely on outward privileges,

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

yes, indeed, and I count all things to be loss, because of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, because of whom of the all things I suffered loss, and do count them to be refuse, that Christ I may gain, and be found in him,

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

In the hope that, if I become like him in death, I may possibly attain to the resurrection from the dead.

who, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself, will [not only] transform [but completely refashion] our earthly bodies so that they will be like His glorious resurrected body.

Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice!

I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.

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