Chapter 1

  Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:  

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  Grace to you, and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord, Jesus Christ.  

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  I thank my God whenever I remember you,  

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  always in every request of mine on behalf of you all making my requests with joy,  

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  for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now;  

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  being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.  

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  It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.  

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

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  This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;  

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  so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ;  

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  being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.  

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  Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the gospel;  

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  so that my bonds became revealed in Christ throughout the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest;  

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  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.  

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  Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.  

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  The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;  

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  but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.  

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  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.  

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  For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,  

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  according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be put to shame, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.  

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  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  

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  But if to live in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; then I don't make known what I will choose.  

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  But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very far better.  

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  Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.  

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  Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,  

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  that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.  

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  Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel 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 gospel;  

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  and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.  

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  Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,  

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  having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear is in me.  

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