1 ³ I thank my God whenever I think of you; 1 ⁴ and when I pray for you all, my prayers are always joyful, 1 ⁵ because of the part you have taken in the work of the Gospel from the first day until now. 1 ⁶ Of one thing I am certain: the One who started the good work in you will bring it to completion by the Day of Christ Jesus. 1 ⁷ It is indeed only right that I should feel like this about you all, because you hold me in such affection, and because, when I lie in prison or appear in the dock to vouch for the truth of the Gospel, you all share in the privilege that is mine. Or: I am justified in taking this view about you all, because I hold you in closest union, as those who, when I lie ... of the Gospel, all share in the privilege that is mine. 1 ⁸ God knows how I long for you all, with the deep yearning of Christ Jesus himself. 1 ⁹ And this is my prayer, that your love may grow ever richer and richer in knowledge and insight of every kind, 1 ¹⁰ and may thus bring you the gift of true discrimination. Or: may teach you by experience what things are most worth while. Then on the Day of Christ you will be flawless and without blame, 1 ¹¹ reaping the full harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.