21. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22. And while I live in the flesh, for me, there is the fruit of works. But I do not know which I would choose.
23. For I am constrained between the two: having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, which is the far better thing,
24. but then to remain in the flesh is necessary for your sake.
25. And having this confidence, I know that I shall remain and that I shall continue to remain with all of you, for your advancement and for your joy in the faith,
26. so that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus for me, through my return to you again.
27. Only let your behavior be worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that, whether I return and see you, or whether, being absent, I hear about you, still you may stand firm with one spirit, with one mind, laboring together for the faith of the Gospel.
28. And in nothing be terrified by the adversaries. For what is to them is an occasion of perdition, is to you an occasion of salvation, and this is from God.
29. For this has been given to you on behalf of Christ, not only so that you may believe in him, but even so that you may suffer with him,
30. engaging in the same struggle, of a kind which you also have seen in me, and which you now have heard from me.