PHILIPPIANS 1

1 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.

3 I thank my God every time I remember you.

4 In 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,

11 Filled with the Fruit of Righteousness

That comes through Jesus Christ--

To the Glory and Praise of God.

12 Now I want you to 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 others out of Good Will.

16 The later do so in Love,

Knowing that I am put here fore 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 it 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 Ashamed,

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!

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 Since you are going through the Same Struggle you saw I had,

And now hear that I still have.

(Philippians 1)