Philippians - 1

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1 P aul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants:

2 G race to you, and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I thank my God whenever I remember you,

4 a lways in every request of mine on behalf of you all making my requests with joy,

5 f or your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now;

6 b eing confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

7 I t 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 Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.

8 F or God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.

9 T his I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;

10 s o that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ;

11 b eing filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

12 N ow I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;

13 s o that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ;

14 a nd 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.

15 S ome indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.

16 T he former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;

17 b ut the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.

18 W hat 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.

19 F or I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

20 a ccording 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.

21 F or to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

22 B ut if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don’t know what I will choose.

23 B ut I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

24 Y et, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.

25 H aving this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,

26 t hat your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.

27 O nly let your way of life be worthy of the Good News 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 Good News;

28 a nd in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.

29 B ecause it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,

30 h aving the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear is in me.