(3)I thank my God on every remembrance of you,--(4)always, in every supplication of mine, making the supplication for you all with joy,-- (5)for your fellowship in respect to the gospel[1:5] from the first day until now; (6)being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. (7)As it is just for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart[1:7]; being all of you, both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, partakers of the grace with me. (8)For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all, with the tender affection of Jesus Christ. (9)And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more, in knowledge and all discernment; (10)in order that ye may approve the things that are most excellent[1:10], that ye may be pure and without offense unto the day of Christ; (11)being filled with the fruit of righteousness, which is by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (12)But I desire that ye should know, brethren, that the things which befell me have resulted rather in the furtherance of the gospel; (13)so that my bonds have become manifest in Christ in all the Praetorium, and to all the rest; (14)and that the greater part of the brethren, made confident in the Lord by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (15)Some indeed preach Christ also from envy and strife, but some also from good will; (16)the one, out of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel; (17)the other, out of contentiousness, proclaim Christ not with pure intent, supposing that they shall add affliction[1:17] to my bonds. (18)What then? Notwithstanding, in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and therein I rejoice, yea, and shall rejoice. (19)For I know that this will turn out for my salvation, through your supplication, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ; (20)according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall in nothing be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so also now Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death. (21)For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (22)But if it be to live in the flesh, this to me is fruit of labor; and which I shall choose I know not; (23)but am constrained by the two, having the desire to depart, and to be with Christ, for it is far better; (24)but to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sakes. (25)And being persuaded of this, I know that I shall remain, and shall continue with you all for your furtherance and joy in the faith; (26)that your glorying may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me, through my coming to you again.