The Holy Bible – Douay‐Rheims version
The Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians
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Chapter 1
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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 communication in the gospel of Christ from the first day unto 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, for that I have you in my heart; and that in my bands, 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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Filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
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Now, brethren, I desire 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 bands 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, growing confident by my bands, 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: supposing that they raise affliction to my bands.
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But what then? So that by all means, 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 fall out to me unto 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 it be 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, this 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, a thing by far the better.
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But to abide still in the flesh, is needful for you.
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And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, 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 I come and see you, or, being absent, may 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 the adversaries: which to them is a cause of perdition, but to you of salvation, and this from God:
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For unto 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.