Letters to the Churches

According to my expectation and hope; that in nothing I shall be confounded: but with all confidence, as always, so now also, shall Christ be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death.

For to me, to live is Christ: and to die is gain.

And if to live in the flesh: this is to me the fruit of labour. And what I shall choose I know not.

But I am straitened between two: having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, a thing by far the better.

But to abide still in the flesh is needful for you.

And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all, for your furtherance and joy of faith:

That your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus for me, by my coming to you again.

Only let your conversation be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you, or, being absent, may hear of you, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind labouring together for the faith of the gospel.

And in nothing be ye terrified by the adversaries: which to them is a cause of perdition, but to you of salvation, and this from God.

For unto you it is given for Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him:

Having the same conflict as that which you have seen in me and now have heard of me.

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of charity, if any society of the spirit, if any bowels of commiseration:

Fulfil ye my joy, that you be of one mind, having the same charity, being of one accord, agreeing in sentiment.

Let nothing be done through contention: neither by vain glory. But in humility, let each esteem others better than themselves:

Each one not considering the things that are his own, but those that are other men's.

For let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man.

He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross.

For which cause, God also hath exalted him and hath given him a name which is above all names:

That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth:

And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

Wherefore, my dearly beloved, (as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only but much more now in my absence) with fear and trembling work out your salvation.

For it is God who worketh in you, both to will and to accomplish, according to his good will.

And do ye all things without murmurings and hesitations: