Philippians 1

1 Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, together with overseers and servants: [a] † 2 Favor to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [d]

3 I thank my God at every remembrance of you, 4 always in every plea of mine for all of you, making the plea with joy, 5 for your sharing in the good news from the first day until now, [e] 6 being confident of this very thing: that the one who began a good work in you will bring it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus — 7 just as it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I hold you in my heart, both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the good news, all of you being sharers with me in the favor. [f] 8 For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the inward parts of Christ Jesus. [g]

9 And this I pray: that your love may overflow still more and more in full knowledge and all perception, 10 so that you may test the things that differ, so that you may be sincere and giving no offense for the day of Christ, [h] 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

12 And I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has turned out rather for the advance of the good news, [i] 13 so that my chains have become plain in Christ in the whole praetorium and to all the rest, [j] 14 and most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my chains, dare all the more to speak the word without fear.

15 Some, indeed, proclaim Christ even because of envy and strife, but some because of good pleasure. [k] 16 These out of love, knowing that I am set here for the defense of the good news; 17 those out of selfish ambition announce Christ, not purely, thinking to raise up affliction in my chains. [l] 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretext or in truth, Christ is announced — and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that this will turn out to be my rescue through your plea and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, [m] 20 according to my straining expectation and hope that in nothing I will be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always and now too, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether through life or through death. [n]

21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [o] † 22 But if it is to live in the flesh, this for me is fruit of labor — and what I will choose I do not make known. 23 I am gripped from the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; [p] 24 but to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I will remain and continue on with all of you for your advance and joy in the faith, 26 so that your boast may overflow in Christ Jesus in me, through my coming to you again. [q]

27 Only, live as citizens worthy of the good news of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent I may hear the things about you — that you are standing in one spirit, striving side by side with one soul for the faith of the good news, [r] 28 and not frightened in anything by those who oppose you — which is a demonstration to them of destruction, but of your rescue, and this from God, 29 because to you it was granted, for Christ, not only to trust in him but also to suffer for him, [s] 30 having the same struggle that you saw in me and now hear to be in me.