, for this is far, far better: (24)but to abide in
the flesh may be more necessary for you. (25)And being so persuaded, I
know that I shall stay and continue with you all for your progress and
joy of faith; (26)that your glorying may abound in Christ Jesus for me
by my coming again unto you.

(27)Only conduct yourselves worthily as becometh the gospel of Christ;
that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your
affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul wrestling
together in the faith of the gospel; (28)and not dismayed on any
occasion by your adversaries; which is indeed the proof of perdition to
them, but of salvation to you, and that from God. (29)For this favour
on the part of Christ is granted you, not only that ye should believe
on him, but also that ye should suffer for his sake; (30)experiencing
the same conflict which ye have seen in me, and now hear to be in me.

CHAP. II.

IF there be then any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if
any communion of spirit, if any bowels and compassions, (2)fulfil ye my
joy, that ye may be united in sentiment, having the same love, of one
soul, of one mind. (3)Let nothing be done contentiously or
vain-gloriously; but in humility reckoning others superior to
yourselves. (4)Let not each aim at their own particular interests, but
every man at those of others.

(5)Let the same sentiment of mind be in you, which was also in Christ
Jesus: (6)who being in the form of God counted it no usurpation to
claim equality with God: (7)but emptied himself, assuming the form of a
servant, made after the similitude of mortal men; (8)and found in
fashion as man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even to
the death of the cross. (9)Wherefore God also hath transcendently
exalted him, and bestowed on him a name which is above every name:
(10)that to the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of beings
celestial and terrestrial, and infernal; (11)and every tongue should
confess that the Lord Jesus _is_ Messiah, to the glory of God the
Father.

(12)Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always been obedient, not only
during my presence with you, but now much more in my absence, with fear
and trembling work out your own salvation. (13)For it is God who
worketh effectually in you both to will and to perform of his good
pleasure.

(14)Do all things without murmurings or disputes: (15)that ye may be
blameless and harmless, the children of God, in