< Philippians 1 >
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Messiah Jesus; To all the saints in Messiah Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus (the) Messiah.
3 I thank my God whenever I remember you,
4 always in every prayer of mine for all of you, making my requests with joy,
5 for your partnership in the gospel 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 Messiah Jesus.
7 It is even right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, 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 Messiah 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 pure and blameless for the Day of Messiah;
11 being filled with the fruit of righteousness, which are through Jesus (the) Messiah, 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 gospel;
13 so that it became evident to the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Messiah;
14 and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Messiah even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.
16 The latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
17 The former insincerely preach Messiah from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains.
18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether out of false motives or in truth, Messiah is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.
19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance, through your petition and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus (the) Messiah,
20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Messiah will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.
21 For to me to live is Messiah, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I do not make known what I will choose.
23 But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Messiah, which is far better.
24 Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.
25 And since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
26 that your rejoicing may abound in Messiah Jesus in me through my presence with you again.
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Messiah, 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;
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 Messiah, 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.