[1] Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ
Jesus at Philippi, with the Bishops and Deacons of the church: [2] Grace to
you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [3] I give
praise to my God at every memory of you, [4] And in all my prayers for you
all, making my request with joy, [5] Because of your help in giving the
good news from the first day till now; [6] For I am certain of this very
thing, that he by whom the good work was started in you will make it
complete till the day of Jesus Christ: [7] So it is right for me to take
thought for you all in this way, because I have you in my heart; for in my
chains, and in my arguments before the judges in support of the good news,
making clear that it is true, you all have your part with me in grace. [8]
For God is my witness, how my love goes out to you all in the loving
mercies of Christ Jesus. [9] And my prayer is that you may be increased
more and more in knowledge and experience; [10] So that you may give your
approval to the best things; that you may be true and without wrongdoing
till the day of Christ; [11] Being full of the fruits of righteousness,
which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. [12] Now it
is my purpose to make clear to you, brothers, that the cause of the good
news has been helped by my experiences; [13] So that it became clear
through all the Praetorium, and to all the rest, that I was a prisoner on
account of Christ; [14] And most of the brothers in the Lord, taking heart
because of my chains, are all the stronger to give the word of God without
fear. [15] Though some are preaching Christ out of envy and competition,
others do it out of a good heart: [16] These do it from love, conscious
that I am responsible for the cause of the good news: [17] But those are
preaching Christ in a spirit of competition, not from their hearts, but
with the purpose of giving me pain in my prison. [18] What then? only that
in every way, falsely or truly, the preaching of Christ goes on; and in
this I am glad, and will be glad. [19] For I am conscious that this will be
for my salvation, through your prayer and the giving out of the stored
wealth of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, [20] In the measure of my strong hope
and belief that in nothing will I be put to shame, but that without fear,
as at all times, so now will Christ have glory in my body, by life or by
death. [21] For to me life is Christ and death is profit. [22] But if I go
on living in the flesh--if this is the fruit of my work--then I do not see
what decision to make. [23] I am in a hard position between the two, having
a desire to go away and be with Christ, which is very much better: [24]
Still, to go on in the flesh is more necessary because of you. [25] And
being certain of this, I am conscious that I will go on, yes, and go on
with you all, for your growth and joy in the faith; [26] So that your pride
in me may be increased in Christ Jesus through my being present with you
again. [27] Only let your behaviour do credit to the good news of Christ,
so that if I come and see you or if I am away from you, I may have news of
you that you are strong in one spirit, working together with one soul for
the faith of the good news; [28] Having no fear of those who are against
you; which is a clear sign of their destruction, but of your salvation, and
that from God; [29] Because to you it has been given in the cause of Christ
not only to have faith in him, but to undergo pain on his account: [30]
Fighting the same fight which you saw in me, and now have word of in me.
