1:4 (always, in all my prayers for all you, praying with joy),
1:5 because of the fellowship which you have in the Gospel, from the first day until now.
1:6 And I am persuaded of this same thing: that He who has begun this good work in you will perfect it until the Day of Jesus Christ;
1:7 just as it is right for me to think this way of you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel you all were fellow partakers of grace with me.
1:8 For God is my witness how I long after you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
1:9 And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
1:10 so that you may test those things which are better; that you may be pure and without offense until the Day of Christ,
1:11 filled with the fruit of righteousness which is by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
1:12 Brothers, I desire that you understand that the things which are against me have really caused a furthering of the Gospel.
1:13 So, as for my bonds in Christ, they are famous throughout all the Praetorium and in all other places;
1:14 so much so that many of the brothers in the Lord are emboldened by my bonds and dare speak the word of God more frankly.
1:15 Indeed, some preach Christ out of envy and strife, but some also out of goodwill.
1:16 Indeed, the former preaches Christ out of rivalry (and not purely, supposing to add more affliction to my bonds),
1:17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Gospel.
1:18 What then? Christ is still preached in all manner of ways, whether under a pretense or sincerely. And I rejoice in that! Indeed, and I will rejoice!
1:19 For I know that this shall cause my deliverance (through your prayer and by the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ)
1:20 as I fervently expect and hope that in nothing shall I be ashamed. But that with all confidence (as always) so now Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death.
1:21 For, to me, Christ is life and death is gain.
1:22 But if living in the flesh brings fruit from my labor, what shall I choose? I do not know!
1:23 For I am caught between both desiring to be released and to be with Christ (which is best of all).
1:24 Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
1:25 And of this I am sure: that I shall stay and continue with you all for the progress and joy of your faith,
1:26 so that by my coming to you again your boasting in Jesus Christ may abound through me.
1:27 Only conduct yourselves as it becomes the Gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your matters that you continue in one spirit and in one mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel.
1:28 And be frightened in nothing by your adversaries (which is to them a proof of destruction - but to you of salvation - and this from God!).
1:29 For to you it is given concerning Christ that not only should you believe in Him, but also to suffer concerning Him,
1:30 having the same fight which you saw in me and now hear of in me.
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