I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in any circumstance.

So I hope to send him as soon as I know more about my situation,

Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me.

Now if I am to go on living in the body, this will mean productive work for me, yet I don’t know which I prefer:

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice together with all of you.

Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be encouraged by hearing news about you.

Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you can rejoice and I can be free from anxiety.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead,

I thank my God every time I remember you.

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

though I am confident in the Lord that I too will be coming to see you soon.

But these assets I have come to regard as liabilities because of Christ.

I appeal to Euodia and to Syntyche to agree in the Lord.

More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things – indeed, I regard them as dung! – that I may gain Christ,

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

by holding on to the word of life so that on the day of Christ I will have a reason to boast that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.

But for now I have considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. For he is my brother, coworker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to me in my need.

I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing.

For I have received everything, and I have plenty. I have all I need because I received from Epaphroditus what you sent – a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, very pleasing to God.