[1:18] Yes, and I will rejoice,
[1:19] for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,
[1:20] as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
[1:21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
[1:22] If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.
[1:23] I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
[1:24] But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
[1:25] Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,
[1:26] so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
[1:27] Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
[1:28] and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
[1:29] For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
[1:30] engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.