The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
New International Version NIV
17 while the former announce the Messiah out of selfish ambition, with impure motives, supposing they can stir up trouble for me in prison.
17
The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
18 But so what? All that matters is that in every way, whether honestly or in pretense, the Messiah is being proclaimed; and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
18
But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
19 for I know that this will work out for my deliverance, because of your prayers and the support I get from the Spirit of Yeshua the Messiah.
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for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
20 It all accords with my earnest expectation and hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of; but rather, now, as always, the Messiah will be honored by my body, whether it is alive or dead.
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I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me, life is the Messiah, and death is gain.
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For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
22 But if by living on in the body I can do fruitful work, then I don't know which to choose.
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If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
23 I am caught in a dilemma: my desire is to go off and be with the Messiah - that is better by far -
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I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
24 but because of you, the greater need is to stay on in the body.
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but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
25 Yes, I am convinced of this; so I know I will stay on with you in order to help you progress in the faith and have joy in it.
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Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
26 Then, through my being with you again, you will have even greater reason for boasting about the Messiah Yeshua.
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so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
27 Only conduct your lives in a way worthy of the Good News of the Messiah; so that whether I come and see you or I hear about you from a distance, you stand firm, united in spirit, fighting with one accord for the faith of the Good News,
27
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.