This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus.

I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ

Jesus, including the elders and deacons.

2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I

make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners

in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it

until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within

you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when

Christ Jesus returns.

7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a

special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God,

both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of

the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with

the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will

keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to

understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless

lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the

fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by

Jesus Christ —for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Philippians 1:1-11 NLT