So then, my dearest friends, just as you always obeyed me when I was with you, it's even more important that you obey me now while I'm away from you. Do this by working to complete your salvation -- the harmony and health of your congregation -- with utter seriousness. For God himself is the one who is energetically at work among you giving you both the desire and the ability to do what pleases and delights him.
Make it your constant practice to do all things -- no exceptions! -- without grumbling and arguing. Then you will truly be God's children -- blameless, flawless, faultless -- living in a world of morally warped and spiritually perverted people, among whom you shine like stars in the universe as you offer them the life-giving message of the gospel. Do this so that I can have good reason to be proud of you on the Day when Jesus will scrutinize my life. You'll be living proof that I have neither run the race in vain nor did my work and spend my energy in vain.
Yet even if I'm being poured out as an offering as part of the sacrifice and service I offer to God for your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with all of you. In the same way, you should also rejoice and share your joy with me.