Philippians 1:1-11

Contemporary English Version

1 ^(A) From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus.

To all God's people who belong to Christ Jesus at Philippi and to all your bishops and deacons.

² I pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!

Paul's Prayer for the Church in Philippi

³ Every time I think of you, I thank my God. ⁴ And whenever I mention you in my prayers, it makes me happy. ⁵ This is because you have taken part with me in spreading the good news from the first day you heard about it. ⁶ God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won't stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.

⁷ You have a special place in my heart. So it is only natural for me to feel the way I do. All of you have helped in the work God has given me, as I defend the good news and tell about it here in jail. ⁸ God himself knows how much I want to see you. He knows I care for you in the same way Christ Jesus does.

⁹ I pray that your love will keep on growing and you will fully know and understand ¹⁰ how to make the right choices. Then you will still be pure and innocent when Christ returns. And until that day, ¹¹ Jesus Christ will keep you busy doing good deeds that bring glory and praise to God.