Philippians 1

1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus. To all God's holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

2May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

3I thank my God every time I remember you.

4In all my prayers for you, I always pray with joy,

5because you have shared with me in spreading the good news, from the first day until now.

6I am sure of this: God, who began a good work in you, will keep on doing it until it is finished on the day of Christ Jesus.

7It is right for me to feel this way about you, because I hold you in my heart. Whether I am in prison or defending and proving the good news, you all share God's grace with me.

8God knows how much I miss you all, with the deep love of Christ Jesus.

9And this is my prayer: that your love will keep growing more and more, together with knowledge and good sense,

10so that you can choose what is best, and be pure and without fault on the day of Christ.

11I pray that you will be filled with the good things that come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

12Brothers and sisters, I want you to know that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the good news.

13It has become clear to the whole palace guard, and to everyone else, that I am in chains because of Christ.

14And because of my chains, most of the believers have become more confident in the Lord and more bold to speak God's word without fear.

15It is true that some preach Christ because they are jealous and want to compete, but others preach with good hearts.

16These last ones do it out of love, knowing that I am here to defend the good news.

17The others preach Christ for selfish reasons, not honestly. They think they can make my chains harder to bear.

18But what does it matter? The important thing is that, one way or another, whether for the wrong reasons or the right ones, Christ is preached. And because of that I am glad. Yes, and I will keep being glad,

19because I know that, through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, all this will turn out for my deliverance.

20I eagerly expect and hope that I will not be ashamed in any way. Instead, I hope that I will be brave enough, now as always, for Christ to be honored in my body, whether I live or die.

21For to me, living is Christ, and dying is gain.

22But if I go on living in this body, that means I can keep doing fruitful work. So I do not know which to choose!

23I am pulled in two directions. I want to leave this life and be with Christ, which is far better.

24But it is more important for you that I stay here in this body.

25I am sure of this, so I know I will stay. I will go on with all of you, to help you grow and have joy in your faith.

26Then, when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to be proud, in Christ Jesus, because of me.

27Whatever happens, live in a way that is worthy of the good news of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you, I will know that you stand firm, united in spirit, working side by side for the faith of the good news,

28and not frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be lost, but that you will be saved — and that this is from God.

29For God has given you the honor not only of believing in Christ, but also of suffering for Him.

30You are going through the same struggle you saw me go through, and now hear that I am still going through.