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¹ From[fn] Paul and Timothy, servants[fn] of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones[fn] in Philippi who are united with Christ Jesus, with their overseers[fn] and deacons.[fn][xr] ² May grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be yours![xr]

³ I thank my God every time I remember you,[fn][xr] ⁴ always praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.[xr] ⁶ I am convinced of this, that the one who began a good work among[fn] you will bring it to completion by the day of Christ Jesus.[xr]

⁷ For it is only right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart.[fn] Both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, all of you are partners with me in grace.[xr] ⁸ For God is my witness how much I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.[xr]

⁹ And this is my prayer, that your love will keep on growing more and more in full knowledge and perfect insight,[xr] ¹⁰ so that you may be able to determine what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,[xr] ¹¹ having been filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.[xr]

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually turned out for the progress of the gospel. ¹³ As a result, it has become clear to the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that I am in prison because of Christ.[xr] ¹⁴ Moreover, because of my imprisonment most of the brothers have been made confident in the Lord to speak God's word more boldly and courageously than ever before. ¹⁵ Some are preaching Christ because of their envy and rivalry, while others do so[fn] because of their good will.[xr] ¹⁶ The latter are motivated[fn] by love, because they know that I have been appointed for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁷ The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition and without sincerity, thinking that they will stir up trouble for me during my imprisonment.[xr] ¹⁸ But what does it matter?[fn] Just this, that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and because of this I rejoice. Yes, I will continue to rejoice, ¹⁹ because I know that this will result in my deliverance through your prayers and the help that comes from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.[xr] ²⁰ This is according to my eager expectation and hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of. Instead, because of my[fn] boldness Christ will be exalted in my body, now as always, whether I live or die.[fn][xr]

²¹ For to me, to go on living is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² Now if I go on living in this body, that will produce more results,[fn] yet I do not know which I would prefer. ²³ Indeed, I cannot decide between the two. I have the desire to leave this life and be with Christ, for that is far better.[xr] ²⁴ But for your sake it is better that I remain in this body. ²⁵ Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will continue to live and be with all of you for the sake of your progress and joy in the faith.[xr] ²⁶ Then your boasting in Christ Jesus will increase along with mine[fn] through my coming again to you.[xr]

²⁷ The only thing that matters is that you continue to live as good citizens in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come to see you or whether I stay away, I may hear all about you - that you are standing firm in one spirit, struggling with one mind for the faith of the gospel,[xr] ²⁸ and that you are not intimidated by your opponents in any way. This is evidence that they will be destroyed and that you will be saved - and all because of[fn] God.[xr] ²⁹ For you have been given the privilege[fn] for Christ's sake not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him.[xr] ³⁰ You have the same struggle that you saw in me and now hear that I am still having.[fn][xr]