Philippians 1:1-30 NET

[1] From Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons. [2] Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! [3] I thank my God every time I remember you. [4] I always pray with joy in my every prayer for all of you [5] because of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. [6] For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. [7] For it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel all of you became partners in God's grace together with me. [8] For God is my witness that I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. [9] And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight [10] so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, [11] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. [12] I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my situation has actually turned out to advance the gospel: [13] The whole imperial guard and everyone else knows that I am in prison for the sake of Christ, [14] and most of the brothers and sisters, having confidence in the Lord because of my imprisonment, now more than ever dare to speak the word fearlessly. [15] Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. [16] The latter do so from love because they know that I am placed here for the defense of the gospel. [17] The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, because they think they can cause trouble for me in my imprisonment. [18] What is the result? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, [19] for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. [20] My confident hope is that I will in no way be ashamed but that with complete boldness, even now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether I live or die. [21] For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. [22] Now if I am to go on living in the body, this will mean productive work for me, yet I don't know which I prefer: [23] I feel torn between the two, because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far, [24] but it is more vital for your sake that I remain in the body. [25] And since I am sure of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for the sake of your progress and joy in the faith, [26] so that what you can be proud of may increase because of me in Christ Jesus, when I come back to you. [27] Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that-whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent-I should hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel, [28] and by not being intimidated in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of their destruction, but of your salvation-a sign which is from God. [29] For it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him, [30] since you are encountering the same conflict that you saw me face and now hear that I am facing.