Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

¹⁵ Some of them tell about Christ because they are jealous. They want to prove they are better than me. Some of them tell about Christ because they want to help me.

¹⁶ The first ones do it because they want to prove they are better than I am. They do not have a good reason. But they think they will make trouble for me while I am in prison.

¹⁷ These last ones do it because they love me. They know that I am here to speak for the good news.

¹⁸ But it does not matter. Every way, in the wrong way or in the right way, Christ is talked about. I will be glad because of that.

¹⁹ Yes, I will keep on being glad about it. I know that you will talk to God about me, and I know that the Spirit of Jesus Christ will help me. So I know that things will work out for me to be free.

²⁰ I look forward to this very much and hope that I will not be ashamed at all. But I want to be very strong. I want to bring honour to Christ now as I always have. I can do this if I live or die.

²¹ All I live for is Christ, and to die would give me more blessing.