Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed),

To all the saints (God’s people) in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:

I thank my God, I say, for your cooperation in spreading the Good News, from the time it first came to you even until now.

having confidence of this very thing, that he who has begun in you a good work will complete it unto Jesus Christ's day:

It is right for me to feel this way about you, because [you have me in your heart as] I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the good news [regarding salvation], all of you share in [His matchless] grace with me.

For God is my witness that I long to see you with the [same] affection that Christ Jesus has [for you].

so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ;

being complete as regards the fruit of righteousness, which is by Jesus Christ, to God's glory and praise.

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

and the greater part of the brethren, made confident in the Lord through my imprisonment, now speak of God's Message without fear, more boldly than ever.

Some, it is true, are [actually] preaching Christ out of envy and rivalry [toward me—for no better reason than a competitive spirit or misguided ambition], but others out of goodwill and a loyal spirit [toward me].

The latter [do so] from love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

The other part of love, because they see that I am set to defend the gospel.

What then [does it matter]? So long as in every way, whether in pretense [for self-promotion] or in all honesty [to spread the truth], Christ is being preached; and in this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will rejoice [later as well],

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.

As life means Christ to me, so death means gain.

If, however, it is to be life here and I am to go on living, this will mean useful and productive service for me; so I do not know which to choose [if I am given that choice].

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.

Since 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.

so that your rejoicing for me may overflow in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

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;

For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ’s sake, not only to believe and confidently trust in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

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

Therefore if there is any encouragement and comfort in Christ [as there certainly is in abundance], if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship [that we share] in the Spirit, if [there is] any [great depth of] affection and compassion,

complete my joy, so that {you are in agreement}, having the same love, united in spirit, {having one purpose}.

In God's own form existed he, and shared with God equality, deemed nothing needed grasping.

but emptied himself, taking a bondman's form, taking his place in the likeness of men;

When he had assumed human form, he still further humbled himself and carried his obedience so far as to die, and to die upon the cross.

For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [those] in heaven and of [those] on earth and of [those] under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to God the Father's glory.

So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.

holding forth the word of life, so as to be a boast for me in Christ's day, that I have not run in vain nor laboured in vain.

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].

So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may also be encouraged by learning news about you.

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

For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child'serveth a father,'so he served with me in furtherance of the gospel.

Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.

though I am confident in the Lord that I too will be coming to see you soon.

I send him because he is longing to see you all and is distressed at your having heard of his illness.

For indeed he was sick, coming near to death, but God had mercy on him and not [on] him only, but also [on] me, so that I would not have grief upon grief.

I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

So take him to your hearts in the Lord with all joy, and give honour to such as he is:

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].

In conclusion, my brethren, be joyful in the Lord. For me to give you the same warnings as before is not irksome to me, while so far as you are concerned it is a safe precaution.

See to dogs, see to evil workmen, see to the concision.

For we [Christians] are the [true] circumcision [i.e., the real "Jews" in God's eyes. See Rom. 2:28-29]. We worship by means of God's Holy Spirit [i.e., are empowered and motivated by the Holy Spirit], and boast in [the person and work of] Christ Jesus, and [we] place no confidence in the flesh [i.e., in any outward ritual or status for salvation].

although I could have confidence in the flesh. If anyone thinks he can place confidence in the flesh, I have more reason to think so.

as to my zeal [for Jewish tradition], a persecutor of the church; and as to righteousness [supposed right living] which [my fellow Jews believe] is in the Law, I proved myself blameless.

But whatever former things were gains to me [as I thought then], these things [once regarded as advancements in merit] I have come to consider as loss [absolutely worthless] for the sake of Christ [and the purpose which He has given my life].

More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ

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];

and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.

Brothers, I consider that I, myself, have not yet taken hold [of Christ's ultimate purpose for me]. But there is one thing that I am doing; I am forgetting about my past [See verses 5-7], and reaching forward to what lies ahead.

I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

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.

However, we should live up to what we have achieved so far.

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

who shall change our body of humiliation so that it may be fashioned like His glorious body, according to the working of His power, even to subdue all things to Himself.

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

And I make request to you, true helper in my work, to see to the needs of those women who took part with me in the good news, with Clement and the rest of my brother-workers whose names are in the book of life.

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near!

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].

Finally, brethren, so many things as are true, so many things as are noble, so many things as are righteous, so many things as are pure, so many things as are lovely, so many things as are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things.

The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord, that now at last you have renewed your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned about me before, but you had no opportunity to show it.

not that in respect of want I say it, for I did learn in the things in which I am -- to be content;

For all things I have strength, in Christ's strengthening me;

Ye know, moreover, even ye, Philippians, - that, in the beginning of the glad-message, when I went forth from Macedonia, not, so much as one assembly, with me had fellowship - in the matter of giving and receiving - save, ye alone, -

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

But my God--so great is His wealth of glory in Christ Jesus--will fully supply every need of yours.

To our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

My Christian greetings to every one of God's people. The brethren who are with me send their greetings.

All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.