Philippians 1
International Standard Version
1From: Paul and Timothy, servants of the Messiah Jesus. To: All the holy ones in Philippi, along with their overseers and ministers, who are in union with the Messiah Jesus. 2May grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, be yours!

3I thank my God every time I remember you, 4always praying joyfully in every one of my prayers for all of you 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6I am convinced of this, that the one who began a good action among you will bring it to completion by the Day of the Messiah Jesus. 7For it is only right for me to think this way about all of you, because you're constantly on my mind. Both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, all of you are partners with me in this privilege. 8For God is my witness how much I long for all of you with the compassion that the Messiah Jesus provides. 9And this is my prayer, that your love will keep on growing more and more with full knowledge and insight, 10so that you may be able to choose what is best and be pure and blameless until the day when the Messiah returns, 11having been filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus the Messiah so that God will be glorified and praised.

12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually caused the gospel to advance. 13As a result, it has become clear to the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that I am in prison for preaching about the Messiah. 14Moreover, because of my imprisonment the Lord has caused most of the brothers to become confident to speak God's word more boldly and courageously than ever before. 15Some are preaching the Messiah because of jealousy and dissension, while others do so because of their good will. 16The latter are motivated by love, because they know that I have been appointed to defend the gospel. 17The former proclaim the Messiah because they are selfishly ambitious and insincere, thinking that they will stir up trouble for me during my imprisonment. 18But so what? Just this—that in every way, whether by false or true motives, the Messiah is being proclaimed. Because of this, I rejoice and will continue to rejoice. 19I know that this will result in my deliverance through your prayers and the help that comes from the Spirit of Jesus the Messiah. 20I rejoice because I eagerly expect and hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of, because through my boldness the Messiah will be exalted through me, now as always, whether I live or die.

21For to me, to go on living is the Messiah, and to die is gain. 22Now if I continue living, fruitful labor is the result, so I do not know which I would prefer. 23Indeed, I cannot decide between the two. I have the desire to leave this life and be with the Messiah, for that is far better. 24But for your sake it is better that I remain alive. 25Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will continue to live and be with all of you, so you will mature in the faith and know joy in it. 26Then your rejoicing in the Messiah Jesus will increase along with mine when I visit with you again.

27The only thing that matters is that you continue to live as good citizens in a manner worthy of the gospel of the Messiah. 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, 28and 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 God. 29For you have been given the privilege for the Messiah's sake not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him. 30You have the same struggle that you saw in me and now hear that I am still having.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1
Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
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