1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones in union with Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and ministerial servants:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God for all my memories of you.
4 I always offer prayer filled with joy for you,
5 and for your fellowship in participation of the good news from the first day until now.
6 I am confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.
7 It is right for me to feel this way on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart. Both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the good news you are all partakers with me of grace.
8 God is my witness, how I long for you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
9 I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment.
10 This way you may approve test the things that are excellent of more value. May you be sincere and without offense blameless to others till the day of Christ.
11 Be filled with the fruits of righteousness through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. (John 15:5) (Galatians 5:22-23)
12 I would have you know, brothers that the things that happened to me turned out for the greater progress of the good news.
13 My imprisonment in Christ became known throughout the whole Praetorian Guard, and to all brothers.
14 Most of the brothers trust in the Lord and boldly speak the word of God without fear because of my bonds.
15 Some preach Christ from envy and strife and some from good will.
16 The latter ones do it out of love, knowing that I am set appointedplaced here for the defense of the good news.
17 But the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition without pure motives, thinking to cause me great suffering and distress in my imprisonment.
18 What then? That in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed! For that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice!
19 For I know that this will turn out to my redemption through your prayer and the provision of the spirit vital principlesmind of Jesus Christ.
20 I will not be put to shame according to my earnest expectation and hope. With all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in me, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 If I live in the flesh this will bring fruit from my labor. I do not know what to choose.
23 I am hard pressed between the two. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ for it is far better.
24 Yet to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.
25 Having this confidence, I know that I will remain. Yes, I will remain with you all for your progress and joy in the faith.
26 Let your rejoicing abound in Christ Jesus through my presence with you again.
27 Let your manner of life be worthy of the good news about Christ. Whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your conduct, that you stand fast in one spirit common purposemental dispositionvital principle, with one mind striving together for the faith of the good news.
28 Do not be frightened by opponents. This is evidence of destruction for them and salvation for you from God.
29 It has been granted to you in behalf of Christ. Not only to believe on him, but also to suffer in his behalf.
30 You have the same conflict that you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.