Philippians 1
1 To all Christ’s People at Philippi, with the Presiding Officers and Assistants, from Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus.
Paul and Timothy, bondmen of Jesus Christ, to all the sanctified in Jesus Christ who are at Philippi, with the guardians and helpers:
2 May God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ bless you, and give you peace.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Every recollection that I have of you is a cause of thankfulness to God,
I thank my God upon every memory of you,
4 always, in every prayer that I offer for you all — my prayers are full of joy —
always in my every entreaty for all of you, making the entreaty with joy
5 Because of the share that you have had in spreading the Good News, from the first day that you received it until now.
for your participation in the good news from the first day until now.
6 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.
Being confident of this same thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.
7 And, indeed, I am justified in feeling thus 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.
Just as it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the good news, you all being partners with me of the grace.
8 God will bear me witness how I yearn over you all with the tenderness of Christ Jesus.
For God is my witness, how I long for you all in bowels of Jesus Christ.
9 And what I pray for is this — that your love may grow yet stronger and stronger, with increasing knowledge and all discernment,
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment
10 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,
for you to examine the things that are significant. So that ye may be tested by sunlight and not stumbling toward the day of Christ,
11 bearing a rich harvest of that righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
having been filled with fruits of righteousness, through Jesus Christ, for glory and praise of God.
12 Brothers, I want you to realise that what has happened to me has actually served to forward the Good News.
But I want you to know, brothers, that the things in respect to me have come more for the advancement of the good news,
13 It has even become evident, not only to all the Imperial Guard, but to every one else, that it is for Christ’s sake that I am in chains.
in order for my bonds in Christ to become apparent in the whole Praetorium, and in all the others.
14 And besides this, most of our Brothers have gained confidence in the Lord through my chains, and now venture with far greater freedom to speak of God’s Message fearlessly.
And more of the brothers in the Lord have been convinced by my bonds to be much more bold to speak the word fearlessly.
15 It is true that some do proclaim the Christ out of Jealousy and opposition; but there are others who proclaim him from good-will.
Actually some even preach the Christ because of envy and strife, and some also because of good-will.
16 The latter do it from love for me, knowing that I have been appointed to plead the cause of the Good News.
Some indeed proclaim the Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to bring affliction to my bonds.
17 The former spread the news of the Christ in a factious spirit, and not sincerely, thinking to add to the pain of my chains.
But some from love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the good news.
18 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.
What then? Except in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice, but also I will rejoice.
19 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.’
For I know that this will turn out to me for salvation (through your entreaty, and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ)
20 And this will fulfil my earnest expectation and hope that I shall have no cause for shame, but that, with unfailing courage, now as hitherto, Christ will be honoured in my body, whether by my life or by my death,
according to my eager expectation and hope that I will be shamed in nothing. But with all boldness, now as always, Christ will also be magnified in my body, whether through life or through death.
21 for to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 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!
But if to live in flesh, this is fruit of labor to me, then what I will choose I know not.
23 My own desire is to depart and be with Christ, for this would be far better.
And I am constrained by the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, being far better.
24 But, for your sakes, it may be more needful that I should still remain here in the body.
But to remain in the flesh is more necessary because of you.
25 Yes, I am confident that this is so, and therefore I am sure that I shall stay, and stay near you all, to promote your progress and joy in the Faith;
And having been convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and will continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith.
26 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.
So that your pride may abound in Christ Jesus in me because of my presence with you again.
27 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,
Only be citizens worthy of the good news of the Christ, so that, whether having come and having seen you or being absent, I may hear things about you that ye stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving together for the faith of the good news.
28 without ever shrinking from your opponents. To them this will be a sign of their Destruction and of your Salvation — a sign from God.
And not being frightened in anything by those who oppose, which is indeed a sign of destruction to them, but to you of salvation, and this from God.
29 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.
Because to you it was granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,
30 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.
having the same conflict such as ye saw in me, and now hear is in me.
