[This letter is from] Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, [and is being sent] to all the saints [i.e., God's holy people] who are at Philippi [Note: This is a town in present-day northeastern Greece, and the first place in Europe where Paul established Christianity], along with the overseers [Note: These men were also called elders, shepherds or pastors] and deacons.

from the first day to the present time. being persuaded that

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:

according as it is righteous for me to think this in behalf of you all, because of my having you in the heart, both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the good news, all of you being fellow-partakers with me of grace.

that being capable to distinguish what is best, you may remain stedfastly sincere until the day of Christ,

being filled with the fruit of righteousness through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

so that my bonds have become manifest as being in Christ in all the praetorium and to all others;

and that most of the Christian brothers have grown confident enough, because of my imprisonment, to dare to tell God's message without being afraid.

What difference then does it make? In one way or another, whether in pretense or in sincerity, Christ is being preached, and that is the thing that makes me glad; yes, more too, I will continue to be glad of it,

The outcome of all this, I know, will be my release, as you continue to pray for me, and as I am provided with the Spirit of Jesus Christ ??20 my eager desire and hope being that I may never feel ashamed but that now as ever I may do honour to Christ in my own person by fearless courage. Whether that means life or death, no matter!

But I am pressed by both, having the desire for departure and being with Christ, for it is very much better,

and my inclination to abide in this life, as being more advantageous for YOU:

and of this being persuaded, I have known that I shall remain and continue with you all, to your advancement and joy of the faith,

which will result in your joy; so that, through union with Christ Jesus, you may have more than sufficient ground for boasting about me, through my being with you again.

Only worthily of the good news of the Christ conduct ye yourselves, that, whether having come and seen you, whether being absent I may hear of the things concerning you, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul, striving together for the faith of the good news,

And not being affrighted in anything by the opposers, - the which, is, unto them, a token of destruction, although of your salvation, and this from God;

being engag'd in the same conflict, in which you saw I was formerly, and hear that I am at present engag'd.

If then I can appeal to you as the followers of Christ, if there is any persuasive power in love and any common sharing of the Spirit, or if you have any tender-heartedness and compassion, make my joy complete by being of one mind,

fulfil my joy, that ye draw one way, having one love, being of one accord, and of one mind,

Do not act out of selfish ambition or conceit, but with humility think of others as being better than yourselves.

Which, being in the shape of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.

but he abased himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of man,

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of beings in heaven and in the earth and under the earth,

Yet even if I am being poured out like an offering as part of the sacrifice and service I offer for your faith, I rejoice, and I share my joy with all of you.

But I am fully persuaded in [harmony with the wishes of] the Lord that I, myself, also will go to you soon. [Note: Paul here expresses the hope of being released from imprisonment, in spite of previous hints that he might be put to death. See 1:20; 2:17].

For we are the circumcision, men who worship in spirit to God, and who boast in Christ Jesus, and not being confident in flesh.

Being given circumcision on the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in relation to the law, a Pharisee:

as to zeal persecuting the church, as to righteousness by the law being blameless.

Any righteousness that I have being, not the righteousness that results from Law, but the righteousness which comes through faith in Christ--the righteousness which is derived from God and is founded on faith.

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

For there are many whom I have often described to you, and I now even with tears describe them, as being enemies to the Cross of Christ.

whose fate is destruction, whose god is their belly [their worldly appetite, their sensuality, their vanity], and whose glory is in their shame—who focus their mind on earthly and temporal things.

So, my dearly loved brothers, those whom I long to see, [who are] my [reason for] being glad and [who are] my crown of victory; stand firm in [your devotion to] the Lord, my dear ones.

Stop being worried about anything, but always, in prayer and entreaty, and with thanksgiving, keep on making your wants known to God.

And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.

I am not saying this because of being in need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.

I know how to live in lowly circumstances and I know how to live in plenty. I have learned the secret, in all circumstances, of either getting a full meal or of going hungry, of living in plenty or being in want.