New International Version NIV
New International Reader's Version NIRV
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons :
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We, Paul and Timothy, are writing this letter. We serve Christ Jesus. We are sending this letter to you, all of God's people in Philippi. You belong to Christ Jesus. We are also sending this letter to your leaders and deacons.
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
3 I thank my God every time I remember you.
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I thank my God every time I remember you.
4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
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In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
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I am happy because you have joined me in spreading the good news. You have done so from the first day until now.
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
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I am sure that the One who began a good work in you will carry it on until it is completed. That will be on the day Christ Jesus returns.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.
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It is right for me to feel this way about all of you. I love you with all my heart. I may be held by chains, or I may be standing up for the truth of the good news. Either way, all of you share in God's grace together with me.
8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
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God can give witness that I long for all of you. I love you with the love that Christ Jesus gives.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
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I pray that your love will grow more and more. And let it be based on knowledge and understanding.
10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
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Then you will be able to know what is best. You will be pure and without blame until the day Christ returns.
11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
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You will be filled with the fruit of right living produced by Jesus Christ. All of those things bring glory and praise to God.
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.
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Brothers and sisters, here is what I want you to know. What has happened to me has really helped to spread the good news.
13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
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One thing has become clear. I am being held by chains because of my stand for Christ. All of the palace guards and everyone else know it.
14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
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Because I am being held by chains, most of the believers in the Lord have become bolder. They now speak God's word more boldly and without fear.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
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It's true that some preach about Christ because they are jealous. But others preach about Christ to help me in my work.
16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
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The last group acts out of love. They know I have been put here to stand up for the good news.
17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
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But the others preach about Christ only to get ahead. They are not honest and true. They think they can stir up trouble for me while I am being held by chains.
18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
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But what does it matter? Here is the important thing. Whether for reasons that are right or wrong, Christ is being preached about. That makes me very glad. And I will continue to be glad.
19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
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I know that you are praying for me. I also know that the Spirit of Jesus Christ will help me. So no matter what happens, I'm sure I will still be saved.
20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
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I completely expect and hope that I won't be ashamed in any way. I'm sure I will be brave enough. Now as always Christ will be lifted high through my body. He will be lifted up whether I live or die.
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
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For me, life finds all of its meaning in Christ. Death also has its benefits.
22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
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Suppose I go on living in my body. Then I will be able to carry on my work. It will bear a lot of fruit. But what should I choose? I don't know.
23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
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I can't decide between the two. I long to leave this world and be with Christ. That is better by far.
24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
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But it is more important for you that I stay alive.
25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
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I'm sure of that. So I know I will remain with you. And I will continue with all of you to help you grow and be joyful in what you have been taught.
26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
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I'm sure I will be with you again. Then your joy in Christ Jesus will be greater than ever because of me.
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel
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No matter what happens, live in a way that brings honor to the good news about Christ. Then I will know that you stand firm with one purpose. I may come and see you or only hear about you. But I will know that you work together as one person. And I will know that you work to spread the teachings of the good news.
28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.
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So don't be afraid in any way of those who oppose you. That will show them that they will be destroyed and that you will be saved. That's what God will do.
29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,
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Here is what he has given you to do for Christ. You must not only believe in him. You must also suffer for him.
30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
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You are going through the same struggle you saw me go through. As you have heard, I am still struggling.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.