| 1:1: Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers{The word translated "overseers" (episkopos) can also be translated superintendents, guardians, curators, or bishops.} and deacons{Or, servants}: |
| 1:2: Grace to you, and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 1:3: I thank my God whenever I remember you, |
| 1:4: always in every request of mine on behalf of you all making my requests with joy, |
| 1:5: for your partnership{The word translated "partnership" (koinonia) also means "fellowship" and "sharing."} in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; |
| 1:6: being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. |
| 1:7: 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 gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. |
| 1:8: For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. |
| 1:9: This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; |
| 1:10: so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ; |
| 1:11: being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. |
| 1:12: Now I desire to have you know, brothers,{The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the gospel; |
| 1:13: so that it became evident to the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ; |
| 1:14: 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. |
| 1:15: Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will. |
| 1:16: The former insincerly preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains; |
| 1:17: but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. |
| 1:18: 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. |
| 1:19: For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, |
| 1:20: 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. |
| 1:21: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. |
| 1:22: But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don't make known what I will choose. |
| 1:23: But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. |
| 1:24: Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake. |
| 1:25: Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, |
| 1:26: that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again. |
| 1:27: 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; |
| 1:28: and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God. |
| 1:29: Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf, |
| 1:30: having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear is in me. |
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