Philippians 1

Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Paul and Timotheus, humble followers of Jesus Christ, send their greetings to all the faithful in Philippi, including the church leaders and helpers.

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

May you feel the comforting embrace of God's grace and the soothing tranquility of His peace, gifted to you from our divine Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

Every time I think of you, my heart overflows with gratitude to God.

Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

In every heartfelt prayer I make for you, I do so with pure joy.

For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

Since day one, your companionship in spreading the good news has been unwavering and deeply appreciated.

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Rest assured, God, who began this good work within you, will keep at it and bring it to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.

Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

It's only right for me to feel this way about you all, because you hold a special place in my heart. Whether I'm in chains or defending and affirming the gospel, we share in God's grace together.

For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

God knows how deeply I yearn for you all with the love of Jesus Christ.

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

I hope with all my heart that your love grows stronger and deeper, becoming wiser and more discerning with each passing day.

That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.

May you recognize and embrace what is truly good; may you remain genuine and unoffending until Christ's return.

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Overflowing with good deeds inspired by Jesus Christ, all to honor and celebrate God.

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

I want you to realize, my friends, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the good news.

So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

So everyone in the palace guard and beyond can clearly see that I am in chains for Christ.

And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Seeing my unyielding faith even in chains, many of my brothers and sisters in the Lord have found courage. They now speak God's word fearlessly and with great boldness.

Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

Some share Christ's message out of jealousy and conflict, while others do so with genuine kindness and goodwill.

The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

Those who spread Christ's teachings with insincerity and conflict, aim to deepen my suffering while I'm bound.

But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

But the others preach Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here to defend the gospel.

What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

So what's the point? Regardless of the motive, Christ's message is being shared. This brings me joy, indeed, it always will.

For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

I am certain that your prayers and the guidance of Jesus Christ's spirit will lead me to salvation.

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

With deep longing and hope, I believe I won't be let down. I'll courageously honor Christ with my life and even in death, making Him shine through me.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Living for me means embodying Christ's love, and death is but a victorious transition.

But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

If I continue living in this physical world, it will mean more fruitful work for me. But I'm uncertain about what I should choose.

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

I'm torn between two worlds, longing to leave this life and join Christ, which is a far more beautiful existence.

Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

Staying alive in this world is crucial for you.

And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

With unwavering faith, I am certain that I will stay and grow with you all, enhancing your joy and strengthening your belief.

That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

May your joy overflow in Jesus Christ when I return to you.

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Simply let the way you live be worthy of the gospel of Christ. Whether I'm with you or not, I hope to hear that you're united in spirit and purpose, standing strong together for the faith of the gospel.

And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

Don't let your enemies scare you in any way. Your courage is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but for you, it's a sign of your salvation, a gift from God.

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Christ has gifted you with not just faith in Him, but also the strength to endure hardships for His cause.

Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Experiencing the same struggles you've seen and heard in me.