Moff PHP Chapter 1

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1 Paul and Timotheus, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, as well as to the bishops and deacons: 2 grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I thank my God for all your remembrance of me; 4 in all my prayers for you all I always pray with a sense of joy 5 for what you have contributed to the gospel from the very first day down to this moment; 6 of this I am confident, that he who has begun the good work in you will go on completing it until the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is only natural for me to be thinking of you all in this way, for alike in my prison and as I defend and vindicate the gospel, I bear in mind how you all share with me in the grace divine. 8 (God is my witness that I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus himself!) 9 And it is my prayer that your love may be more and more rich in knowledge and all manner of insight, enabling you to have a sense of what is vital, 10 so that you may be transparent and no harm to anyone in view of the day of Christ, 11 your life covered with that harvest of righteousness which Jesus Christ produces to the glory and the praise of God.

12 I would have you understand, my brothers, that my affairs have really tended to advance the gospel; 13 throughout the whole of the praetorian guard and everywhere else it is recognized that I am imprisoned on account of my connexion with Christ, 14 and my imprisonment has given the majority of the brotherhood greater confidence in the Lord to venture on speaking the word of God without being afraid. 15 Some of them, it is true, are actually preaching Christ from envy and rivalry, others from goodwill; 16 the latter do it from love to me, knowing that I am set here to defend the gospel, 17 but the former proclaim Christ for their own ends, with mixed motives, intending to annoy me as I lie in prison. 18 What does it matter? Anyhow, for ulterior ends or honestly, Christ is being proclaimed, and I rejoice over that; yes and I will rejoice over it.

19 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! 21 As life means Christ to me, so death means gain. 22 But then, if it is to be life here below, that means fruitful work for me. So — well, I cannot tell which to choose; 23 I am in a dilemma between the two. My strong desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far the best. 24 But for your sakes it is necessary I should live on here below. 25 I am sure it is, and so I know I shall remain alive and serve you all by forwarding your progress and fostering the joy of your faith. 26 Thus you will have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus over me — over my return to you.

27 Only, do lead a life that is worthy of the gospel of Christ. Whether I come and see you or only hear of you in absence, let me know you are standing firm in a common spirit, fighting side by side like one man for the faith of the gospel. 28 Never be scared for a second by your opponents; your fearlessness is a clear omen of ruin for them and of your own salvation — at the hands of God. 29 For on behalf of Christ you have the favour of suffering no less than of believing in him, 30 by waging the same conflict that, as once you saw and now you hear, I wage myself.

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