Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

²¹ For Christ is to me life, and death is to me gain.

²² If it happens that I live in the flesh, it means fruitful work for me, and what to choose I do not know. ²³ I am constrained by two things: I desire to be released and to be with Christ, which thing is best of all. ²⁴ Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. ²⁵ And this I am sure of: that I will abide, and continue with you all for the furtherance and joy of your faith, ²⁶ so that you may more abundantly rejoice in Jesus Christ through me, by my coming to you again.

²⁷ Only be sure that you live worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may yet hear of you that you continue in one spirit and in one soul, labouring as we do to maintain the faith of the gospel – ²⁸ and in nothing fearing your adversaries, which is to them a sign of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. ²⁹ For to you it is given not only to believe on Christ, but also to suffer for his sake, ³⁰ and to have even the same fight which you saw me have and now hear of me.