Philippians 1
1 Paul and Timotheus the seruants of IESVS CHRIST, to all the Saintes in Christ Iesus which are at Philippi, with the Bishops, and Deacons:
To all Christ’s people at Philippi, with the supervisors and assistants, from Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus.
2 Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Iesus Christ.
May God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ bless you, and give you peace.
3 I thanke my God, hauing you in perfect memorie,
Every recollection that I have of you is a cause of thanksgiving to God,
4 (Alwayes in all my praiers for all you, praying with gladnesse)
always, in every prayer that I offer for you all – my prayers are full of joy –
5 Because of the fellowship which ye haue in the Gospel, from the first day vnto nowe.
because of the share that you have had in spreading the good news, from the first day that you received it until now.
6 And I am persuaded of this same thing, that he that hath begunne this good worke in you, wil perfourme it vntill the day of Iesus Christ,
For of this I am confident, that he who began a good work in you will complete it in readiness for the day of Jesus Christ.
7 As it becommeth me so to iudge of you all, because I haue you in remembrance that both in my bands, and in my defence, and confirmation of the Gospell you all were partakers of my grace.
And, indeed, I am justified in feeling like this about you all; because you have a warm place in my heart – you who all, both in my imprisonment and in the work of defending and establishing the good news, shared my privilege with me.
8 For God is my recorde, howe I long after you all from the very heart roote in Iesus Christ.
God will bear me witness how I yearn for you all with the tenderness of Christ Jesus.
9 And this I pray, that your loue may abound, yet more and more in knowledge, and in all iudgement,
And what I pray for is this – that your love may grow yet stronger and stronger, with increasing knowledge and all discernment,
10 That ye may alowe those things which are best, that ye may be pure, and without offence vntill the day of Christ,
until you are able to appreciate all moral distinctions. And I pray, too, that you may be kept pure and blameless against the day of Christ,
11 Filled with the fruites of righteousnesse, which are by Iesus Christ vnto the glorie and praise of God.
bearing a rich harvest of that righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
12 I would ye vnderstood, brethren, that the things which haue come vnto me, are turned rather to the furthering of the Gospell,
Friends, I want you to realise that what has happened to me has actually served to forward the good news.
13 So that my bandes in Christ are famous throughout all the iudgement hall, and in all other places,
It has even become evident, not only to all the imperial guard, but to everyone else, that it is for Christ’s sake that I am in chains.
14 In so much that many of the brethren in the Lord are boldened through my bandes, and dare more frankely speake the word.
And besides this, most of our fellow followers have gained confidence in the Lord through my chains, and now venture with far greater freedom to speak of God’s message fearlessly.
15 Some preache. Christ euen through enuie and strife, and some also of good will.
It is true that some do proclaim the Christ out of jealousy and opposition, but there are others who proclaim him from goodwill.
16 The one part preacheth Christ of contention and not purely, supposing to adde more affliction to my bandes.
The latter do it from love for me, knowing that I have been appointed to plead the cause of the good news.
17 But the others of loue, knowing that I am set for the defence of the Gospell.
The former spread the news of the Christ in a factious spirit, and not sincerely, thinking to add to the pain of my chains.
18 What then? yet Christ is preached all maner wayes, whether it be vnder a pretence, or syncerely: and I therein ioye: yea and will ioye.
But what of that? Only that in some way or other, either with assumed or with real earnestness, Christ is being made known; and at that I rejoice.
19 For I knowe that this shall turne to my saluation through your prayer, and by the helpe of the Spirit of Iesus Christ,
Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that, through your prayers and through a rich supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, all this will make for my salvation.
20 As I feruently looke for, and hope, that in nothing I shalbe ashamed, but that with all confidence, as alwayes, so nowe Christ shalbe magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death.
And this will fulfil my earnest expectation and hope that I will have no cause for shame, but that, with unfailing courage, now as before, Christ will be honoured in my body, whether by my life or by my death,
21 For Christ is to me both in life, and in death aduantage.
for to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
22 And whether to liue in the flesh were profitable for me, and what to chuse I knowe not.
But what if the life here in the body – if this brings me fruit from my labours? Then which to choose I cannot tell! I am sorely perplexed either way!
23 For I am distressed betweene both, desiring to be loosed and to be with Christ, which is best of all.
My own desire is to depart and be with Christ, for this would be far better.
24 Neuerthelesse, to abide in the flesh, is more needefull for you.
But, for your sakes, it may be more needful that I should still remain here in the body.
25 And this am I sure of, that I shall abide, and with you all continue, for your furtherance and ioy of your faith,
Yes, I am confident that this is so, and therefore I am sure that I will stay, and stay near you all, to promote your progress and joy in the faith;
26 That ye may more aboundantly reioyce in IESVS CHRIST for me, by my comming to you againe.
so that, when you once more have me among you, you, in your union with Christ Jesus, may find in me fresh cause for exultation.
27 Onely let your conuersation be, as it becommeth the Gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or els be absent, I may heare of your matters that ye continue in one Spirit, and in one mind, fighting together through the faith of the Gospel.
Under all circumstances let your lives be worthy of the good news of the Christ: so that, whether I come and see you, or whether I hear of your affairs at a distance, I may know that you are standing firm, animated by one spirit, and joining with one heart in a common struggle for the faith taught by the good news,
28 And in nothing feare your aduersaries, which is to them a token of perdition, and to you of saluation, and that of God.
without ever shrinking from your opponents. To them this will be a sign of their destruction and of your salvation – a sign from God.
29 For vnto you it is giuen for Christ, that not onely ye should beleeue in him, but also suffer for his sake,
For, on behalf of Christ, you have had the privilege granted you, not only of trusting in him, but also of suffering on his behalf.
30 Hauing the same fight, which ye sawe in me, and nowe heare to be in me.
You will be engaged in the same hard struggle as that which you once saw me waging, and which you hear that I am waging still.
