^{8 Ref} For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.

^{9 Ref} This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;

^{10 Ref} so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ;

^{11 Ref} being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.