Paul
and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To
all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi,
Together
with the Overseers and Deacons:
2
Grace and Peace to you from God our Father
And
the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving
And Prayer
3 I
thank my God every time I remember you.
4 I
all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
5
Because of your Partnership in the Gospel
From
the first day until now.
6
BEING CONFIDENT OF THIS,
THAT
HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU
WILL
CARRY IT ON TO COMPLETION
UNTIL
THE DAY OF CHRIST JESUS.
7
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you,
Since
I have you in my heart;
For
whether I am in Chains
Or
defending and confirming the Gospel,
All
of you share in God's Grace with me.
8
God can Testify how I long for all of you
With
the Affection of Christ Jesus.
9
And this is my prayer:
THAT
YOUR LOVE MAY ABOUND MORE AND MORE
IN
THE KNOWLEDGE AND DEPTH OF INSIGHT,
10
SO THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO DISCERN WHAT IS BEST
AND
MAY BE PURE AND BLAMELESS UNTIL THE DAY OF CHRIST,
Filled
with the fruit of Righteousness
That
comes through Jesus Christ--
To
the Glory and Praise of God.
Paul's
Chains Advance The Gospel
12
Now I want you t know, brothers,
That
what has happened to me
Has
really served to Advance the Gospel.
13
As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole Palace Guard
And
to everyone else that I am in Chains for Christ.
14
Because of my Chains,
Most
of the brothers in the Lord
Have
been Encouraged to speak the Word of God
More
Courageously and Fearlessly.
15
It is true that some preach Christ out of Envy and Rivalry,
But
other out of Good Will.
16
The Latter do so in love,
Knowing
that I am put here for the Defense of the Gospel.
17
The former preach Christ
Out
of selfish ambition, not sincerely,
Supposing
that they can stir up trouble for me
While
I am in Chains.
18
BUT WHAT DOES IS MATTER?
The
Important Thing is that in every way,
Whether
from False Motives or True,
Christ
is Preached.
And
because of this I Rejoice.
Yes,
and I will continue to Rejoice,
19
For I know that through your prayers
And
the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
What
has happened to me will turn out for my Deliverance.
20
I eagerly expect and hope
That
I will in no way be shamed,
But
will have sufficient Courage
So
that now as always
Christ
will be exalted in my body,
Whether
by life or by death.
21
FOR ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN.
22
If I am to go on living in the body,
This
will mean Fruitful Labor for me.
Yet
what shall I choose? I do not know!
23
I am torn between the two:
I
desire to depart and be with Christ,
Which
is better by far;
24
But it is more necessary for you
That
I remain in the body.
25
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain,
And
I will continue with all of you
For
your Progress and Joy in the Faith,
26
So that through my being with you again
Your
Joy in Christ Jesus will Overflow on account of me.
27
Whatever happens,
Conduct
yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.
Then
whether I come and see you
Or
only hear about you in my absence,
I
WILL KNOW THAT YOU STAND FIRM IN ONE SPIRIT,
CONTENDING AS ONE MAN FOR THE FAITH OF THE GOSPEL
28
WITHOUT BEING FRIGHTENED IN ANY WAY
BY
THOSE WHO OPPOSE YOU.
THIS
IS A SIGN TO THEM THAT THEY WILL BE DESTROYED,
BUT
THAT YOU WILL BE SAVED—AND THAT BY GOD.
29
For it has been Granted to you on behalf of Christ
Not
only to believe on Him,
BUT
ALSO TO SUFFER FOR HIM,
30
For you are going through the same Struggle you saw I had,
And
now hear that I still have.
(Philippians
1)
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