Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

¹⁵ There are some, I should say, who are proclaiming the Messiah because of envy and rivalry; but there are others who are doing it out of good will. ¹⁶ These last are acting from love, since they know that I’m in prison because of defending the gospel; ¹⁷ but the others are announcing the Messiah out of selfishness and jealousy. They are not acting from pure motives. They imagine that they will make more trouble for me in my captivity.

¹⁸ So what? Only this: the Messiah is being announced, whether people mean it or not! I’m happy to celebrate that!

To live or to die?

Yes, and I really am going to celebrate: ¹⁹ because I know that this will result in my rescue, through your prayer and the support of the spirit of Messiah Jesus. ²⁰ I’m waiting eagerly and full of hope, because nothing is going to put me to shame. I am going to be bold and outspoken, now as always, and the Messiah is going to gain a great reputation through my body, whether in life or in death.

²¹ You see, for me to live means the Messiah; to die means to make a profit.