1 | Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants : |
2 | Grace to you, and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
3 | I thank my God whenever I remember you, |
4 | always in every request of mine on behalf of you all making my requests with joy, |
5 | for your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now; |
6 | being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. |
7 | It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace. |
8 | For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. |
9 | This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; |
10 | so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ; |
11 | being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. |
12 | Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News; |
13 | so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ; |
14 | and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear. |
15 | Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will. |
16 | The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains; |
17 | but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News. |
18 | What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice. |
19 | For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, |
20 | according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death. |
21 | For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. |
22 | But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don't know what I will choose. |
23 | But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. |
24 | Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake. |
25 | Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, |
26 | that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again. |
27 | Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News; |
28 | and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God. |
29 | Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf, |
30 | having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear is in me. |