[1:3] I thank my God for you every time I think of you;
[1:4] and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy
[1:5] because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now.
[1:6] And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.
[1:7] You are always in my heart! And so it is only right for me to feel as I do about you. For you have all shared with me in this privilege that God has given me, both now that I am in prison and also while I was free to defend the gospel and establish it firmly.
[1:8] God is my witness that I tell the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself.
[1:9] I pray that your love will keep on growing more and more, together with true knowledge and perfect judgment,
[1:10] so that you will be able to choose what is best. Then you will be free from all impurity and blame on the Day of Christ.
[1:11] Your lives will be filled with the truly good qualities which only Jesus Christ can produce, for the glory and praise of God.