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It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.
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And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
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so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
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It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
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The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
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But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
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For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
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I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
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but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
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without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.
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Imitating Christ’s Humility
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
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then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
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not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
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Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
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and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
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I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.
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But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.
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For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.
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No Confidence in the Flesh
Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
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For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—
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circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;
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What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
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and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
