Being persuaded of this very thing - that, he who hath begun in you a good work, will perfect it, until the day of Jesus Christ;

God will bear me witness how I yearn over you all with the tenderness of Christ Jesus.

And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment,

Then you will be able to approve of [only] what is best and be sincere and without just blame on the day of Christ's [return],

having been filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus the Messiah so that God will be glorified and praised.

Some, indeed, by reason of envy and strife - some, however, by reason of good will - are proclaiming, the Christ:

the former from self-seeking are proclaiming Christ insincerely, thinking that they will add affliction to my bonds.

What then? That, in any way, whether in pretext, or in truth, Christ, is declared, and, in this, I rejoice - yea, and will rejoice!

for I know [with confidence] that this will turn out for my deliverance and spiritual well-being, through your prayers and the [superabundant] supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ [which upholds me].

It is my own eager expectation and hope, that [looking toward the future] I will not disgrace myself nor be ashamed in anything, but that with courage and the utmost freedom of speech, even now as always, Christ will be magnified and exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

But if to live in flesh, this is fruit of labor to me, then what I will choose I know not.

And having been convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and will continue with you all for your progress and joy in 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 [be sure to] lead your lives in a manner [that will be] worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I do come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit [and one purpose], with one mind striving side by side [as if in combat] for the faith of the gospel.

And in no way be alarmed or intimidated [in anything] by your opponents, for such [constancy and fearlessness on your part] is a [clear] sign [a proof and a seal] for them of [their impending] destruction, but [a clear sign] for you of deliverance and salvation, and that too, from God.

You will be engaged in the same hard struggle as that which you once saw me waging, and which you hear that I am waging still.

so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow -- in heaven and on earth and under the earth --

and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.

so that you will be blameless and honest, faultless children of God in the midst of a crooked and perverted age, in which you appear like stars in a dark world,

holding out a message of life. Thus it will be my boast at the day of Christ that I have not run in vain, or toiled for nothing.

But even if I am poured out like a drink offering [See Ex. 29:38-41] on the sacrifice and service produced by your faith, I am glad and will rejoice with all of you. [Note: Paul here likens the possible pouring out of his blood to the wine and oil of the Old Testament sacrifice, which is then likened to the Philippians' faithful service to God].

I will rejoice and congratulate you all; and in the same way you must rejoice and congratulate me.

For I have no one else [like him who is] so kindred a spirit who will be genuinely concerned for your [spiritual] welfare.

Him then I am hoping to send as quickly as possible, when I am able to see how things will go for me:

And I trust in Lord that I myself also will come soon.

I sent him therefore with the greater dispatch, that I might have the less disquietude, by the satisfaction you will find in seeing him again.

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in [your relationship to] the Lord. It does not trouble me to write the same things to you again, because you will be safer if I do. [Note: These "same things" may refer to warnings against false teachers which Paul had either spoken to them or written about previously].

assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.

All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude. And if in any respect you have a different attitude, that too God will make clear to you.

who in the. end will be ruin'd, who place their religion in sensuality, their glory in that which is their shame, and fix their thoughts upon this earth.

For our country is in heaven; from where the Saviour for whom we are waiting will come, even the Lord Jesus Christ:

who, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself, will [not only] transform [but completely refashion] our earthly bodies so that they will be like His glorious resurrected body.

Rejoice in Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice.

And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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.

But I will not say anything about my needs, for I am able, wherever I am, to be dependent on myself.

Not that I want your gifts, but I want you to have the profits that will accumulate to your credit.

And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.