18. What difference does it make, as long as in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed? And in that I rejoice.Indeed I shall continue to rejoice,
19. for I know that this will result in deliverance for me through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
20. My eager expectation and hope is that I shall not be put to shame in any way, but that with all boldness, now as always, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
21. For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
22. If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose.
23. I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, [for] that is far better.
24. Yet that I remain [in] the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.
25. And this I know with confidence, that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
26. so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me when I come to you again.