Philippians 1

¹ Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all God's holy people in Christ Jesus who are in 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 always, in every prayer of mine for all of you, praying with joy,

⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

⁶ sure of this very thing: that the one who began a good work in you will carry it through to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I hold you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in this grace with me.

⁸ For God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may overflow more and more in knowledge and full insight,

¹⁰ so that you may discern what truly matters and be pure and blameless for 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 and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

¹³ As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that I am in chains for Christ.

¹⁴ And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare even more to speak the word fearlessly.

¹⁵ It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.

¹⁶ These do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

¹⁷ The others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.

¹⁸ What does it matter? Only this: that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed — and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will keep rejoicing,

¹⁹ for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will turn out for my deliverance.

²⁰ It is my eager expectation and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but that with full boldness, now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

²² If I am to go on living in the body, this means fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know.

²³ I am torn between the two: I long to depart and be with Christ, which is far better by far;

²⁴ but to remain in the body is more necessary for your sake.

²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,

²⁶ so that through my coming to you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

²⁷ Only let your life as citizens be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear about you — that you are standing firm in one spirit, contending side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel,

²⁸ and not frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation — and that from God.

²⁹ For it has been graciously granted to you, on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in 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.