From Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.

Favour unto you, and peace, from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you??4 always, in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all, making supplication with joy??5 on account of your fellowship for the Gospel, from the first day until now;

On account of your contribution unto the glad-message, from the first day until the present:

For God beareth me record how greatly I long after you all from the very heart-root in Jesus Christ.

having been full of qualities of righteousness, which come from Jesus Christ and produce honor and praise to God.

Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the message fearlessly.

Some indeed are preaching Christ out of envy and contentiousness, but others from good-will.

Some indeed proclaim the Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to bring affliction to my bonds.

But some from love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the good-news.

But what difference does it make? All that matters is that, in one way or another, from false motives or honest ones, Christ is being made known; I am glad of that. Yes, and I expect to be glad,

because I know this will lead to my deliverance through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

But if to live in the flesh, -- if this shall bring fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I know not.

So, I am in a dilemma between the two choices. [On the one hand] I have the desire to depart [from this life] and be with Christ [in heaven], which would be far better.

Only let your behaviour do credit to the good news of Christ, so that if I come and see you or if I am away from you, I may have news of you that you are strong in one spirit, working together with one soul 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;

For to you it is granted as a favor from Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for his sake:

Is there anything to be encouraged about by being in [fellowship with] Christ? Is there any comfort from His love? Is there any sharing with the Holy Spirit? [Have you received] any affection and compassion [from Christ]?

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves.

who, though from the beginning he had the nature of God, did not reckon equality with God something to be forcibly retained,

And having been found in a form like a man, he lowered himself, having become obedient until death, even of death from a cross.

So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].

All things, be doing, apart from murmurings and disputings;

But I hope in [harmony with the wishes of] the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I could be encouraged when I learn of your situation [i.e., when Timothy returns with news from Philippi].

Him, indeed, therefore, am I hoping to send - as soon as I can look off from the things that concern myself, - forthwith.

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 he was so sick that he was on the point of dying, but God took pity on him, and not only on him but on me too, to keep me from having one sorrow after another.

Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you can rejoice and I can be free from anxiety.

because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me [which distance prevented you from rendering personally].

circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew sprung from the Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;

and may be found in Him [believing and relying on Him], not having any righteousness of my own derived from [my obedience to] the Law and its rituals, but [possessing] that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.

And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did];

so that I may attain to the resurrection [that will raise me] from the dead.

I press towards the mark for the prize to which God has called me from above by Jesus Christ.

Copy me, brothers, one and all of you, and notice those who live by the example you get from me.

But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

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].

Practice the things you learned, received, and heard from me, things that you saw me do, and then the God who gives us peace will be with you.

Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever [circumstances] I am.

And ye Philippians also have seen that, in the beginning of the good-news when I departed from Macedonia, not one congregation shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except ye only,

Not that I crave for gifts from you, but I do want to see abundant fruit bring you honour.

But I have received everything in full and more; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me. They are the fragrant aroma of an offering, an acceptable sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights.

And my God will give you all you have need of from the wealth of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Now to God, even our Father, be glory from age to age. Amen.

All the saints greet you, but especially those from Caesar’s household.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. {Sent from Rome by Epaphroditus.}