For ¹  it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart, ²  since both in my imprisonment ³  and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel all of you became partners in God’s grace ⁴  together with me.

The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, because they think they can cause trouble for me in my imprisonment. ¹ 

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.) ¹ 

For I am sure of this very thing, ¹  that the one ²  who began a good work in ³  you will perfect it ⁴  until the day of Christ Jesus.

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 ¹  and joy in the faith, ² 

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. ¹ 

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! ¹  – that I may gain Christ,

Only conduct yourselves ¹  in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that – whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent – I should hear that ²  you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel, ³ 

Brothers and sisters, ¹  I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: ²  Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead,

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.

Others are busy with their own concerns, not those of Jesus Christ.

Indeed, he greatly missed all of you and was distressed because you heard that he had been ill.

But our citizenship is in heaven – and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Beware of the dogs, ¹  beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh! ² 

I do not say this because I am seeking a gift. ¹  Rather, I seek the credit that abounds to your account.

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

with this goal in mind, ¹  I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God ²  in Christ Jesus.

Each of you should be concerned ¹  not only ²  about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. ³ 

I feel torn between the two, ¹  because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far,

So then, my brothers and sisters, ¹  dear friends whom I long to see, my joy and crown, stand in the Lord in this way, my dear friends!