New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures Reference Bible

1 Paul and Timothy, slaves+ of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones in union with Christ Jesus who are in Philippi,+ along with overseers* and ministerial servants:*+

2 May YOU have undeserved kindness and peace from God our Father and [the] Lord Jesus Christ.+

3 I thank my God always upon every remembrance of YOU+ 4 in every supplication of mine for all of YOU,+ as I offer my supplication with joy, 5 because of the contribution+ YOU have made to the good news from the first day until this moment. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that he who started a good work in YOU will carry it to completion+ until the day+ of Jesus Christ. 7 It is altogether right for me to think this regarding all of YOU, on account of my having YOU in my heart,+ all of YOU being sharers+ with me in the undeserved kindness, both in my [prison]+ bonds and in the defending+ and legally+ establishing of the good news.

8 For God is my witness of how I am yearning for all of YOU in such tender affection+ as Christ Jesus has. 9 And this is what I continue praying, that YOUR love may abound+ yet more and more with accurate knowledge*+ and full discernment;*+ 10 that YOU may make sure of the more important things,+ so that YOU may be flawless+ and not be stumbling+ others up to the day of Christ, 11 and may be filled with righteous fruit,+ which is through Jesus Christ, to God’s glory and praise.+

12 Now I desire YOU to know, brothers, that my affairs have turned out for the advancement of the good news+ rather than otherwise, 13 so that my bonds+ have become public knowledge+ in association with Christ among all the Praetorian Guard* and all the rest;+ 14 and most of the brothers in [the] Lord, feeling confidence by reason of my [prison] bonds, are showing all the more courage to speak the word of God fearlessly.+

15 True, some are preaching the Christ through envy and rivalry,+ but others also through goodwill.+ 16 The latter are publicizing the Christ out of love, for they know I am set here for the defense+ of the good news; 17 but the former do it out of contentiousness,+ not with a pure motive, for they are supposing to stir up tribulation+ [for me] in my [prison] bonds. 18 What then? [Nothing,] except that in every way, whether in pretense+ or in truth, Christ is being publicized,+ and in this I rejoice. In fact, I will also keep on rejoicing, 19 for I know this will result in my salvation* through YOUR supplication+ and a supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ,+ 20 in harmony with my eager expectation+ and hope+ that I shall not be ashamed+ in any respect, but that in all freeness of speech+ Christ will, as always before, so now be magnified by means of my body,+ whether through life or through death.+

21 For in my case to live is Christ,+ and to die,+ gain. 22 Now if it be to live on in the flesh, this is a fruitage of my work+—and yet which thing to select I do not make known.* 23 I am under pressure from these two things;+ but what I do desire is the releasing* and the being with Christ,+ for this, to be sure, is far better.+ 24 However, for me to remain in the flesh is more necessary on YOUR account.+ 25 So, being confident of this, I know I shall remain+ and shall abide with all of YOU for YOUR advancement+ and the joy that belongs to [YOUR] faith, 26 so that YOUR exultation may overflow in Christ Jesus by reason of me through my presence* again with YOU.

27 Only behave* in a manner worthy+ of the good news about the Christ, in order that, whether I come and see YOU or be absent, I may hear about the things which concern YOU, that YOU are standing firm in one spirit, with one soul*+ striving side by side for the faith of the good news, 28 and in no respect being frightened by YOUR opponents.+ This very thing is a proof of destruction for them, but of salvation for YOU;+ and this [indication] is from God, 29 because to YOU the privilege was given in behalf of Christ, not only to put YOUR faith+ in him, but also to suffer+ in his behalf. 30 For YOU have the same struggle as YOU saw in my case+ and as YOU now hear about in my case.+

2 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ,+ if any consolation of love, if any sharing of spirit,+ if any tender affections+ and compassions, 2 make my joy full in that YOU are of the same mind+ and have the same love, being joined together in soul, holding the one thought in mind,+ 3 doing nothing out of contentiousness+ or out of egotism,+ but with lowliness of mind considering that the others are superior+ to YOU, 4 keeping an eye, not in personal interest upon just YOUR own matters,*+ but also in personal interest upon those of the others.+

5 Keep this mental attitude* in YOU that was also in Christ Jesus,+ 6 who, although he was existing in God’s form,+ gave no consideration to a seizure,* namely, that he should be equal to God.+ 7 No, but he emptied himself and took a slave’s form+ and came to be in the likeness of men.+ 8 More than that, when he found himself in fashion as a man,+ he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death,+ yes, death on a torture stake.*+ 9 For this very reason also God exalted him to a superior position+ and kindly gave him the name that is above every [other] name,+ 10 so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground,+ 11 and every tongue should openly acknowledge*+ that Jesus Christ is Lord+ to the glory of God the Father.+

12 Consequently, my beloved ones, in the way that YOU have always obeyed,+ not during my presence only, but now much more readily during my absence, keep working out YOUR own salvation with fear+ and trembling; 13 for God is the one that, for the sake of [his] good pleasure, is acting within YOU+ in order for YOU both to will and to act.+ 14 Keep doing all things free from murmurings+ and arguments,*+ 15 that YOU may come to be blameless+ and innocent, children+ of God without a blemish in among a crooked and twisted generation,+ among whom YOU are shining as illuminators in the world,+ MT5:14,16 16 keeping a tight grip on the word of life,+ that I may have cause for exultation in Christ’s day,+ that I did not run in vain or work hard in vain.+ 17 Notwithstanding, even if I am* being poured out like a drink offering*+ upon the sacrifice+ and public service to which faith has led YOU,+ I am glad and I rejoice+ with all of YOU.* 18 Now in the same way YOU yourselves also be glad and rejoice with me.*+

19 For my part I am hoping in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to YOU shortly, that I may be a cheerful soul+ when I get to know about the things pertaining to YOU. 20 For I have no one else of a disposition like his who will genuinely care+ for the things pertaining to YOU. 21 For all the others are seeking their own interests,+ not those of Christ Jesus. 22 But YOU know the proof he gave of himself, that like a child+ with a father he slaved with me in furtherance of the good news. 23 This, therefore, is the man I am hoping to send just as soon as I have seen how things stand concerning me. 24 Indeed, I am confident* in [the] Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.+

25 However, I consider it necessary to send to YOU Epaphroditus,+ my brother and fellow worker+ and fellow soldier,+ but YOUR envoy* and private servant for my need, 26 since he is longing to see all of YOU* and is depressed because YOU heard he had fallen sick. 27 Yes, indeed, he fell sick nearly to the point of death; but God had mercy+ on him, in fact, not only on him, but also on me, that I should not get grief upon grief. 28 Therefore with the greater haste I am sending him, that on seeing him YOU may rejoice again and I may be the more free from grief. 29 Therefore give him the customary welcome+ in [the] Lord with all joy; and keep holding men of that sort dear,+ 30 because on account of the Lord’s* work he came quite near to death, exposing his soul* to danger,+ that he might fully make up for YOUR not being here to render private service to me.+

3 Finally, my brothers, continue rejoicing in [the] Lord.+ To be writing the same things to YOU is not troublesome for me, but it is of safety to YOU.

2 Look out for the dogs,+ look out for the workers of injury, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.*+ 3 For we are those with the real circumcision,*+ who are rendering sacred service* by God’s spirit+ and have our boasting in Christ Jesus+ and do not have our confidence in the flesh,+ 4 though I, if anyone, do have grounds for confidence also in the flesh.

If any other man thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I the more so:+ 5 circumcised the eighth day,+ out of the family stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin,+ a Hebrew [born] from Hebrews;+ as respects law, a Pharisee;+ 6 as respects zeal, persecuting the congregation;+ as respects righteousness that is by means of law, one who proved himself blameless. 7 Yet what things were gains to me, these I have considered loss on account of the Christ.+ 8 Why, for that matter, I do indeed also consider all things to be loss on account of the excelling value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.+ On account of him I have taken the loss of all things and I consider them as a lot of refuse,+ that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in union with him, having, not my own righteousness, which results from law,+ but that which is through faith+ in Christ, the righteousness that issues from God on the basis of faith,+ 10 so as to know him and the power of his resurrection+ and a sharing in his sufferings,+ submitting myself to a death like his,+ 11 [to see] if I may by any means attain to the earlier resurrection*+ from the dead.

12 Not that I have already received it or am already made perfect,+ but I am pursuing+ to see if I may also lay hold+ on that for which I have also been laid hold+ on by Christ Jesus.* 13 Brothers, I do not yet consider myself as having laid hold on [it]; but there is one thing about it: Forgetting the things behind+ and stretching forward to the things ahead,+ 14 I am pursuing down toward the goal+ for the prize*+ of the upward call+ of God by means of Christ Jesus. 15 Let us, then, as many of us as are mature,+ be of this mental attitude;+ and if YOU are mentally inclined otherwise in any respect, God will reveal the above [attitude] to YOU. 16 At any rate, to what extent we have made progress, let us go on walking orderly+ in this same routine.*

17 Unitedly become imitators+ of me, brothers, and keep YOUR eye on those who are walking in a way that accords with the example YOU have in us.+ 18 For there are many, I used to mention them often but now I mention them also with weeping, who are walking as the enemies of the torture stake* of the Christ,+ 19 and their finish* is destruction,+ and their god is their belly,+ and their glory consists in their shame,+ and they have their minds upon things on the earth.+ 20 As for us, our citizenship*+ exists in the heavens,+ from which place also we are eagerly waiting+ for a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,+ 21 who will refashion our humiliated body*+ to be conformed to his glorious body*+ according to the operation+ of the power that he has, even to subject+ all things to himself.

4 Consequently, my brothers beloved and longed for, my joy and crown,+ stand firm+ in this way in [the] Lord,* beloved ones.

2 Euodia I exhort and Syntyche I exhort to be of the same mind+ in [the] Lord. 3 Yes, I request you too, genuine yokefellow,+ keep assisting these [women] who have striven side by side with me+ in the good news along with Clement as well as the rest of my fellow workers,+ whose names+ are in the book of life.+

4 Always rejoice in [the] Lord.*+ Once more I will say, Rejoice!+ 5 Let YOUR reasonableness+ become known to all men. The Lord* is near.+ 6 Do not be anxious over anything,+ but in everything by prayer and supplication+ along with thanksgiving let YOUR petitions be made known to God;+ 7 and the peace+ of God that excels all thought will guard YOUR hearts+ and YOUR mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever things* are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste,+ whatever things are lovable,* whatever things are well spoken of, whatever virtue there is and whatever praiseworthy thing there is, continue considering these things.+ 9 The things that YOU learned as well as accepted and heard and saw in connection with me, practice these;+ and the God of peace+ will be with you.

10 I do rejoice greatly in [the] Lord* that now at last YOU have revived YOUR thinking in my behalf,+ to which YOU were really giving thought, but YOU lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking with regard to being in want, for I have learned, in whatever circumstances I am, to be self-sufficient.*+ 12 I know indeed how to be low [on provisions],+ I know indeed how to have an abundance. In everything and in all circumstances I have learned the secret of both how to be full and how to hunger, both how to have an abundance and how to suffer want.+ 13 For all things I have the strength by virtue of him who imparts power to me.+

14 Nevertheless, YOU acted well in becoming sharers+ with me in my tribulation.+ 15 In fact, YOU Philippians, also know that at [the] start of declaring the good news, when I departed from Macedonia, not a congregation took a share with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except YOU alone;+ 16 because, even in Thessalonica, YOU sent something to me both once and a second time for my need. 17 Not that I am earnestly seeking the gift,+ but that I am earnestly seeking the fruitage+ that brings more credit to YOUR account. 18 However, I have all things in full and have an abundance. I am filled, now that I have received from Epaphroditus+ the things from YOU, a sweet-smelling odor,+ an acceptable sacrifice,+ well-pleasing to God.* 19 In turn, my God+ will fully supply all YOUR need+ to the extent of his riches+ in glory by means of Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever.+ Amen.

21 Give my greetings+ to every holy one in union+ with Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send YOU their greetings. 22 All the holy ones, but especially those of the household of Caesar,* send YOU their greetings.+

23 The undeserved kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ [be] with the spirit YOU [show].*+