offensive, in the midst
of an untoward and perverse generation, among whom ye shine as
luminaries in the world; (16)holding up the word of life, that I may
glory in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, nor laboured
in vain. (17)Yea, and should I become the victim, in the sacrifice and
service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. (18)In like
manner do ye also joy and rejoice with me.

(19)But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that
I also may be refreshed in spirit, when I know your affairs. (20)For I
have no one like minded with him, who will genuinely care for your
affairs. (21)For all seek their own interests, not those of Christ
Jesus. (22)But ye have known the trial of him, that, as a son with a
father, he hath served with me in the gospel. (23)Him therefore I hope
to send immediately as soon as I see clearly what will become of me.
(24)But I have confidence in the Lord that I myself shall come shortly.
(25)But I have thought it necessary to send unto you Epaphroditus, my
brother, and fellow-labourer, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger,
and the minister who supplied my want. (26)For indeed he greatly longed
after you all, and was very sorry that ye had heard that he had been
sick. (27)For sick indeed he was, nigh unto death: but God had mercy on
him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow
upon sorrow. (28)I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that
seeing him once more ye may rejoice, and I be less sorrowful.
(29)Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and honourably
treat those that are such: (30)for in the work of Christ he was nigh
unto death indifferent about life, that he might afford me that service
which it was not in your power to render me.

CHAP. III.

MOREOVER, brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to
you, to me indeed is not irksome, but is safe for you. (2)Beware of
dogs, beware of the malicious labourers, beware of the concision.
(3)For we are the circumcision, who serve God in spirit, and glory in
Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh. (4)Though I too might
have confidence in the flesh; if any other man thinks that he may have
confidence in the flesh, I may claim more: (5)circumcised the eighth
day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of
Hebrews; (6)respecting the law, a Pharisee; with regard to zeal,
persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness wh