1 Paul and Timotheus the seruants of IESVS CHRIST, to all the Saintes in Christ Iesus which are at Philippi, with the Bishops, and Deacons: 2 Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Iesus Christ. 3 I thanke my God, hauing you in perfect memorie, 4 (Alwayes in all my praiers for all you, praying with gladnesse) 5 Because of the fellowship which ye haue in the Gospel, from the first day vnto nowe. 6 And I am persuaded of this same thing, that he that hath begunne this good worke in you, wil perfourme it vntill the day of Iesus Christ, 7 As it becommeth me so to iudge of you all, because I haue you in remembrance that both in my bands, and in my defence, and confirmation of the Gospell you all were partakers of my grace. 8 For God is my recorde, howe I long after you all from the very heart roote in Iesus Christ. 9 And this I pray, that your loue may abound, yet more and more in knowledge, and in all iudgement, 10 That ye may alowe those things which are best, that ye may be pure, and without offence vntill the day of Christ, 11 Filled with the fruites of righteousnesse, which are by Iesus Christ vnto the glorie and praise of God. 12 I would ye vnderstood, brethren, that the things which haue come vnto me, are turned rather to the furthering of the Gospell, 13 So that my bandes in Christ are famous throughout all the iudgement hall, and in all other places, 14 In so much that many of the brethren in the Lord are boldened through my bandes, and dare more frankely speake the word. 15 Some preache. Christ euen through enuie and strife, and some also of good will. 16 The one part preacheth Christ of contention and not purely, supposing to adde more affliction to my bandes. 17 But the others of loue, knowing that I am set for the defence of the Gospell. 18 What then? yet Christ is preached all maner wayes, whether it be vnder a pretence, or syncerely: and I therein ioye: yea and will ioye. 19 For I knowe that this shall turne to my saluation through your prayer, and by the helpe of the Spirit of Iesus Christ, 20 As I feruently looke for, and hope, that in nothing I shalbe ashamed, but that with all confidence, as alwayes, so nowe Christ shalbe magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death. 21 For Christ is to me both in life, and in death aduantage. 22 And whether to liue in the flesh were profitable for me, and what to chuse I knowe not. 23 For I am distressed betweene both, desiring to be loosed and to be with Christ, which is best of all. 24 Neuerthelesse, to abide in the flesh, is more needefull for you. 25 And this am I sure of, that I shall abide, and with you all continue, for your furtherance and ioy of your faith, 26 That ye may more aboundantly reioyce in IESVS CHRIST for me, by my comming to you againe. 27 Onely let your conuersation be, as it becommeth the Gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or els be absent, I may heare of your matters that ye continue in one Spirit, and in one mind, fighting together through the faith of the Gospel. 28 And in nothing feare your aduersaries, which is to them a token of perdition, and to you of saluation, and that of God. 29 For vnto you it is giuen for Christ, that not onely ye should beleeue in him, but also suffer for his sake, 30 Hauing the same fight, which ye sawe in me, and nowe heare to be in me.
1 From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus.
To all God's people who belong to Christ Jesus at Philippi and to all your bishops and deacons.
2 I pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!
Paul's Prayer for the Church in Philippi
3 Every time I think of you, I thank my God. 4 And whenever I mention you in my prayers, it makes me happy. 5 This is because you have taken part with me in spreading the good news from the first day you heard about it. 6 God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won't stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.
7 You have a special place in my heart. So it is only natural for me to feel the way I do. All of you have helped in the work God has given me, as I defend the good news and tell about it here in jail. 8 God himself knows how much I want to see you. He knows I care for you in the same way Christ Jesus does.
9 I pray that your love will keep on growing and you will fully know and understand 10 how to make the right choices. Then you will still be pure and innocent when Christ returns. And until that day, 11 Jesus Christ will keep you busy doing good deeds that bring glory and praise to God.
What Life Means to Paul
12 My dear friends, I want you to know that what has happened to me has helped to spread the good news. 13 The Roman guards and all the others know I am here in jail because I serve Christ. 14 Now most of the Lord's followers have become brave and are fearlessly telling the message.
15 Some are preaching about Christ because they are jealous and envious of us. Others are preaching because they want to help. 16 They love Christ and know I am here to defend the good news about him. 17 But the ones who are jealous of us are not sincere. They just want to cause trouble for me while I am in jail. 18 But that doesn't matter. All that matters is that people are telling about Christ, whether they are sincere or not. This is what makes me glad.
I will keep on being glad, 19 because I know that your prayers and the help that comes from the Spirit of Christ Jesus will keep me safe. 20 I honestly expect and hope I will never do anything to be ashamed of. Whether I live or die, I always want to be as brave as I am now and bring honor to Christ.
21 If I live, it will be for Christ, and if I die, I will gain even more. 22 I don't know what to choose. I could keep on living and doing something useful. 23 It is a hard choice to make. I want to die and be with Christ, because this would be much better. 24-25 But I know that all of you still need me. This is why I am sure I will stay on to help you grow and be happy in your faith. 26 Then, when I visit you again, you will have good reason to take great pride in Christ Jesus because of me.
27 Above all else, you must live in a way that brings honor to the good news about Christ. Then, whether I visit you or not, I will hear that all of you think alike. I will know that you are working together and are struggling side by side to get others to believe the good news.
28 Be brave when you face your enemies. Your courage will show them that they are going to be destroyed, and it will show you that you will be saved. God will make all of this happen, 29 and he has blessed you. Not only do you have faith in Christ, but you suffer for him. 30 You saw me suffer, and you still hear about my troubles. Now you must suffer in the same way.