[0] however, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife
see that she respects her husband. [1] Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ
Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philip'pi, with the
bishops and deacons: [2] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ. [3] I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, [4]
always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, [5]
thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
[6] And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to
completion at the day of Jesus Christ. [7] It is right for me to feel thus
about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers
with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and
confirmation of the gospel. [8] For God is my witness, how I yearn for you
all with the affection of Christ Jesus. [9] And it is my prayer that your
love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, [10] so
that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for
the day of Christ, [11] filled with the fruits of righteousness which come
through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. [12] I want you to
know, brethren, that what has happened to me has really served to advance
the gospel, [13] so that it has become known throughout the whole
praetorian guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ;
[14] and most of the brethren have been made confident in the Lord because
of my imprisonment, and are much more bold to speak the word of God without
fear. [15] Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from
good will. [16] The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here
for the defense of the gospel; [17] the former proclaim Christ out of
partisanship, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
[18] What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth,
Christ is proclaimed; and in that I rejoice. [19] Yes, and I shall rejoice.
For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus
Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, [20] as it is my eager
expectation and hope that I shall not be at all ashamed, but that with full
courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or
by death. [21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [22] If it
is to be life in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I
shall choose I cannot tell. [23] I am hard pressed between the two. My
desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. [24] But to
remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. [25] Convinced of
this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all, for your
progress and joy in the faith, [26] so that in me you may have ample cause
to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. [27] Only let
your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I
come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you stand firm in one
spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
[28] and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear omen
to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
[29] For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should
not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, [30] engaged in the
same conflict which you saw and now hear to be mine.
