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- Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers {or, superintendents, or bishops} and servants {Or, deacons}:
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- Grace to you, and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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- I thank my God whenever I remember you,
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- always in every request of mine on behalf of you all making my requests with joy,
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- for your partnership {The word translated "partnership" (koinonia) also means "fellowship" and "sharing."} in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now;
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- being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
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- It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.
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- For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
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- This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;
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- so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ;
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- being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
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- Now I desire to have you know, brothers, {The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;
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- so that it became evident to the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ;
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- and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.
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- Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.
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- The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;
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- but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.
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- What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.
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- For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
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- according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.
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- For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
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- But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don't make known what I will choose.
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- But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
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- Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.
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- Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,
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- that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.
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- Only let your manner of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;
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- and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
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- Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,
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- having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear is in me.
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