7. It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.
8. For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
9. This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;
10. so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ;
11. being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
12. Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;
13. so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ;
14. and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.
15. Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.
16. The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;
17. but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.
18. What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.
19. For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20. according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.
21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22. But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don’t know what I will choose.
23. But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.