but it is more vital for your sake that I remain in the body.

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,

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 great joy in the Lord because now at last you have again expressed your concern for me. (Now I know you were concerned before but had no opportunity to do anything.)

Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill.

He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross!

And in the same way you also should be glad and rejoice together with me.

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

May glory be given to God our Father forever and ever. Amen.

All the saints greet you, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my situation has actually turned out to advance the gospel:

The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, because they think they can cause trouble for me in my imprisonment.

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:

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.

But you know his qualifications, that like a son working with his father, he served with me in advancing the gospel.

And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

I feel torn between the two, because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far,

and by not being intimidated in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of their destruction, but of your salvation – a sign which is from God.

In fact he became so ill that he nearly died. But God showed mercy to him – and not to him only, but also to me – so that I would not have grief on top of grief.

Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! To write this again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.