Philippians
Chapter 1
The apostle's affection for the Philippians.
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Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ: to all the saints in Christ Jesus, who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.
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Grace be unto you, and peace from God, our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
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I give thanks to my God, in every remembrance of you,
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Always in all my prayers making supplication for you all with joy,
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For your fellowship in the gospel of Christ, from the first day until now.
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Being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus.
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As it is meet for me to think this for you all: because I have you in my heart: and that in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my joy.
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For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
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And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge, and in all understanding.
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That you may approve the better things, that you may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ,
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Being filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
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Now, I desire, brethren, you should know, that the things which have happened to me, have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel:
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So that my bonds are made manifest, in Christ, in all the court, and in all other places:
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And many of the brethren in the Lord taking courage by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word of God without fear.
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Some, indeed, even out of envy and contention: but some also for good-will preach Christ:
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Some out of charity, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
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And some out of contention preach Christ not sincerely, imagining that they raise affliction to my bonds.
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But what then? So that every way, whether by occasion, or by truth, Christ be preached: in this also I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
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For I know that this shall turn to my salvation, through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
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According to my expectation and hope, that in nothing I shall be confounded: but with all confidence, as always, so now also shall Christ 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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And if to live in the flesh, that is to me the fruit of labour, and what I shall choose I know not.
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But I am straitened between two; having a desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, being by much the better:
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But to remain in the flesh is necessary for your sake.
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And having this confidence, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all, for your furtherance and joy of faith:
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That your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus, for me, by my coming to you again.
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Only let your conversation be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that whether when I come and see you, or being absent, hear of you, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind labouring together for the faith of the gospel:
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And in nothing be ye terrified by adversaries: which to them is a cause of perdition, but to you of salvation, and this from God.
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For to you it is given for Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him:
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Having the same conflict as that which you have seen in me, and now have heard of me.