Philippians 1

Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you, always making my petition with joy in every prayer of mine for all of you, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this very thing: the one who began a good work in you will bring it to completion by the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart. In both my chains and the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all share in grace with me. For God is my witness how I long for all of you with the deep affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may overflow more and more in knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is best and be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, so that it has become clear throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my chains are for Christ. And most of the brothers and sisters, having gained confidence in the Lord through my chains, dare all the more to speak the word without fear. Some indeed proclaim Christ out of envy and strife, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking to stir up affliction in my chains. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my eager expectation and hope that I will be put to shame in nothing, but with all boldness, now as always, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether through life or through death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this means fruitful labor for me. Yet I do not know what to choose. I am pressed between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better, but remaining in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my presence with you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus may overflow on my account. Only live as citizens in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear about you that you stand firm in one spirit, striving together with one soul for the faith of the gospel, and are not intimidated in anything by your opponents. This is a sign to them of destruction, but of your salvation, and this is from God. For it has been granted to you for Christ's sake not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him, having the same struggle that you saw in me and now hear that I still have.

Rights and attribution