A reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians.

In every prayer I utter, I rejoice as I plead on your behalf, at the way you have all continually helped promote the gospel from the very first day.

I am sure of this much:  that God who has begun the good work in you will carry it through to completion, right up to the day of Christ Jesus.  Even God can testify how much I long for each of you with the same affection of Christ Jesus!  My prayer is that your love may more and more abound, both in understanding and wealth of experience, so that with a clear conscience and blameless conduct you may learn to value the things that really matter, up to the very day of Christ.  It is my wish that you be found rich in the harvest of justice which Jesus Christ has ripened in you, to the glory and praise of God.

The Word of God recorded in the letter of Paul to the Philippians.