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.

For God is my witness, that I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

so that you may approve what is superior, in order that you may be sincere and blameless in the day of Christ,

having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

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 to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

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.

But to stay on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.

so that what you can be proud of may increase in Christ Jesus because of me through my return again to you.

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,

Humility and Unity

Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,

he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, that is, death on a cross.

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

Holding Fast to the Word of Life

Therefore my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

For the one at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure, is God.

Warning Against Evil Workers

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me, but is a safeguard for you.

although I could have confidence even in the flesh.

Righteousness Through Christ

If anyone else thinks to put confidence in the flesh, I can do so more:

circumcised on the eighth day, from the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born from Hebrews, according to the law a Pharisee,

according to zeal persecuting the church, according to the righteousness in the law being blameless.

But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have considered loss because of Christ.

and may be found in him, not having my righteousness which is from the law, but which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith,

Only to what we have attained, to the same hold on.

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

whose end is destruction, whose God is the stomach, and whose glory is in their shame, the ones who think on earthly things.