To the Philippians
Greeting
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi with the bishops and servants:
2 Grace to you all and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you all, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all, making my prayer with joy 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 Having confidence of this, that the One, after beginning a good work in you all, will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 As it is just for me to feel this for you all because I hold you all in my heart, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness as I greatly desire you all with the affectiona of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and all perception, 10 so you all approve what is excellent in order that you all may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 after having been filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
The Advance of the Gospel
12 And I will you all to know, brothers, that the things that happened to me have come to advance the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonment in Christ became manifest in the whole praetoriumb and to all the rest. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some, indeed, from envy and rivalry, and also others because of good will, preach Christ. 16 Indeed, those do so out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 17 But those proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, supposing to raise affliction to my imprisonment. 18 For what? Only that in every way, whether in pretensec or truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that, I rejoice.
To Live Is Christ
But I also will rejoice, 19 for I know that this will result in my salvation through your prayers and the contribution of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my eager expectation and hope that I will not be ashamed, but with full confidence, as always and now, Christ will be honored in my body whether through life or through death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live in the flesh, that to me is fruitful labor, and which I will choose, I do not know. 23 But I am hard-pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and to be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is necessary for you all. 25 And I am persuaded of this, knowing that I will remain and continue to remain beside you all for your advancement and joy in the faith 26 in order that your rejoicing may be abundant in Christ Jesus in me through my coming to you all again.
27 Only behave as a citizen worthy of the gospel of Christ in order that, whether I come and see you all again or am absent, I may hear about you all, that you all are standing firm in one spirit, with one soul, striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God 29 since it was granted to you all for the sake of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict that you all saw in me and now hear in me.
Christ's Example of Humility
2 If therefore, there is any consolation in Christ, if there is any comfort from love, if there is any fellowship in the Spirit, if there is any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy that you all might be like-minded, having the same love, one accord in one mind. 3 Do nothing according to strife nor according to empty pride, but humbly esteeming others superior to yourself, 4 each of you all not looking to their own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Think this way in yourselves which is also in Christ Jesus, 6d who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but abasede Himself, after taking the form of a servant and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, 8 He humbled Himself, after becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God also highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name 10 in order that in the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
Lights in the World
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence with fear and trembling, work out your own salvation. 13 For God is the One working in you all, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing 15 in order that you all may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation among whom you all shine as lights in the world, 16 holding onto the word of life that I may rejoice in the day of Christ because I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 And for the same cause, also, you all be glad and rejoice with me.
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you all soon in order that I also may be cheered, after learning the news about you all. 20 For I have no one of similar spiritf who is genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek after themselves, not the interests of Jesus Christ. 22 But the proof of him you all know that as a child with a father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Indeed, I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I consider my situation, 24 and I am persuaded in the Lord that I myself will also come quickly.
25 But I thought it necessary to send to you all Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 For he was greatly desiring you all and distressing because you all heard he was ill. 27 And he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only him but also me in order that I should not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore, I am more careful to send him in order that, after seeing him again, you all may rejoice and I may be less anxious. 29 Therefore, receive him in the Lord with all joy and have honor for such men 30 because, through the work of Christ, he approached death, risking his soul in order that he may complete what you all lack in your service to me.
Righteousness Through Faith in Christ
3 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you all indeed is no trouble to me and safe for you all.
2 Look out for the dogs, look out for those working evil, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.g 3 For we are the circumcision, serving the Spirit of Godh and glory in Christ Jesus and do not trust in flesh — 4 although, I also have trust in flesh. If anyone else thinks to trust in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; according to the law, a Pharisee; 6 according to zeal, a persecutor of the church; according to righteousness in the law, being blameless. 7 But whatever was my gain, this I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 But indeed, I even count all things to be loss because of the surpassing knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, through whom I suffered the loss of all things and count them as excrement in order that I may gain Christ 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law but the righteousness through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith — 10 to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, becoming likei Him in His death, 11 if by any means I might attain the resurrection from the dead.
Straining Toward the Goal
12 Not that I already obtained this or am already perfect, but I pursue if I also might possessj it because I was possessed by Christ Jesus. 13 Bothers, I myself do not consider I have possessed it. But one thing I do: indeed, forgetting what is behind and stretching to what is in front, 14 I pursue toward the mark to the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Those, then, who are perfect, think this way, and if in anything you all think otherwise, this also God will reveal to you all. 16 Nevertheless, to what we attained, we walkk by the same.
17 Be followers with me, brothers, and keep your eyes on those walking as the example you all have in us. 18 For many walk whom I often told to you all and now say with tears, as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, whose god is in their belly and glory in their shame, their minds set on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven out of which we also await a Savior, the Lord Christ Jesus, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body according to the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.
4 Therefore, my beloved and longed for brothers, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, beloved.
Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer
2 I beseech Euodia and I beseech Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true yokefellow, help these women who labored side by side with me in the gospel with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. 5 Your reasonableness be known to all men. The Lord is near; 6 do not be anxiousl, but in all things by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, and if there is anything praiseworthy, think about these things. 9 What you all also learned and received and heard and saw in me — practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you all.
God's Provision
10 Now, I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because now at last you all revived your concern for me. You all were concerned for me, but you all had no opportunity, 11 not that I speak as of falling short, for I learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have been instructed in the mysteries both to be full and to hunger, to abound, and to have need. 13 I can do all things in the One strengthening me.
14 Nevertheless, you all did well, sharing my tribulation. 15 Now you all also know, Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel when I left Macedonia, no church entered into fellowship with me in an account of giving and receiving, except you all only. 16 Since even in Thessalonica, once and again, you all sent unto my needs. 17 Not that I was seeking the gift, but I was seeking the fruit that increases to your account. 18 Now I received everything and more. I have been fulfilled, after receiving from Epaphroditus your gifts, a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 And to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you all. 22 All the saints greet you all, especially those of Caesar's household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.