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The Testimony of Yeshua
Philippians (The Gabriel Version)
Until the Day
2 May you be given compassion and peace from Yehovah our Father and from our Master Yeshua Messiah.
3 I thank Yehovah every time I remember you. 4 Whenever I pray for you all, I do it with joy, 5 because of your participation in spreading the Good News, from the first day you heard it until now.
6 I am convinced of this, that the One who began the good work within you all will personally go on to perfect it right up til the Day of our Master Yeshua Messiah. 7 It is only right for me to feel this way about you because you’re constantly on my mind. You are my partners in loving kindness, whether I am in prison or defending the truth of the Good News. 8 Yehovah is my witness, how I yearn for you with the deep affection of Yeshua Messiah.
9 I pray that your love will continue to grow with precise knowledge and spiritual insight, 10 so that you can recognize what is genuine, and be pure and blameless in [1] the Day of the Messiah, 11 being filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes thru Yeshua Messiah, to the splendor and praise of Yehovah.
Imprisoned For the Messiah
12 Now I want you to know, Friends, that it turns out that what I have gone thru has actually driven the Good News forward. 13 As a result, it has become quite well known at the Roman imperial headquarters, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is for the cause of the Messiah. 14 Most of our Friends in the service of our Master have far more courage, due to my imprisonment, and are speaking Yehovah’s Message fearlessly and bolder than ever. 15 Some actually herald out of envy and rivalry, but others do it out of good will, 16 and in the love of the Messiah, knowing that I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 But those who herald the Messiah from motives of rivalry and selfish ambition are attempting to cause me distress while I’m in prison. 18 Yet I have been elated, and continue to be elated [2], because either way, whether by false or true motives, the Messiah is heralded.
19 I know that it will result in my deliverance, thru your prayers and the gift of the spirit of Yeshua Messiah. 20 I eagerly hope and expect that I will never have anything to be ashamed of, but with resolute boldness will continue, now as always, to exalt the Messiah in my body, either by my life or by my death. 21 Because for me, living is for the Messiah, and if I die, I ‘win’. 22 If I continue to work in this physical life, it will produce more results. I don’t know which I prefer. 23 I’m in a tight squeeze. I want to be set free [3] so that I can be with the Messiah, because that would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is more important that I stay in my body. 25 I am convinced that for now, I’ll continue to live with you for your joy, so that you’ll mature in the faith. 26 Then when I visit you again, your great joy in Yeshua Messiah alone can increase thru me.
27 You should live your lives as good citizens, in a manner worthy of the Good News of the Messiah, so that whether I come and see you again, or whether I am far away, I can hear about you and know that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, playing together to win [see root: athleo] by the faith that the Good News brings. 28 Never be afraid of the opposition. Your fearlessness is certain evidence for them of their impending destruction—and eternal Life for you. 29 You have had the privilege granted to you on behalf of Yehovah, not only to believe in the Messiah, but also to suffer for His sake. 30 You are experiencing the same conflict that you once saw me having, and now hear that I still have.
[1] “In” not “until” (tho “until” is more likely in the Greek). The early 'cherished ones' believed that they were nearing the Day of Yehovah. For example, in Acts 2:16, on the Day of Pentecost, Cephas (Peter) said, “This is what the prophet Joel (2:28-30) was talking about.” He then proceeded to equate the miraculous “tongues of fire” of the day to an ominous Day of Yehovah chapter. [2] The Greek begins this sentence with: “What then?” [3] Paul’s next conscious moment after death is with Yehovah on Judgment Day, (John 5:21-29).
Yeshua Set Aside His Splendor
5 You should have the same sentiments as Yeshua Messiah did.
6 Altho He was in the form of Yehovah, He didn’t consider His equality with Yehovah to be a prize to grasp tightly onto [1].
7 So He divested Himself, and took on the form of a 12 So Friends, as you have always listened to and obeyed Yehovah, not only when I was near you, but now that I am far from you—continue in the necessary work to make sure of your own eternal Lives, with fear and trembling,
13 because Yehovah Himself is creating within you both the desire and the ability to bring about the good things you want to do. [2]
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing,
15 so that you’ll be innocent and untainted, as the sincere children of Yehovah, appearing to them as heavenly lights, living in a wayward and crooked world,
16 holding out to them a message of Life. Then I will have great joy on the Day of the Messiah. I won’t have run in vain or have worked for nothing.
17 And even if my blood is to be poured out as a ze’bak [sacrifice] for your faith, I’m glad and celebrate with you all.
18 So you should also be glad and celebrate with me.
19 But I anticipate that the Master Yeshua will soon send Timothy to you, so that I can also be encouraged by getting news of you,
20 because I have no one else like him who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.
21 Everyone is preoccupied with their own concerns, and not those of Yeshua Messiah.
22 But you know of Timothy’s tested character, and like a son with his father, he has served with me in furthering the Good News.
23 So I hope to send him to you soon, as soon as I’ve seen how things go with me,
24 and I’m confident that Yehovah will send me to visit you soon.
25 But now, circumstances deem it necessary for me to send Epaphroditus to you, my Friend, coworker and fellow soldier, and your
[1] The Modern Greek to English versions understand that “robbery” is not what is literally being spoken of in this passage, since it doesn’t make sense. “Clinging onto” is not necessarily “snatching”.
[2] The Greek versions say “His desire”. 2 Watch out for dogs, watch out for people who do evil, watch out for the flesh cutters,
3 because we are the truly circumcised, who serve Yehovah in the spirit and praise Yeshua Messiah. We don’t rely on the flesh.
4 Yet I could rely on the physical, because if anyone thinks that his reliance could be on the physical level, I could do so more than he.
5 I was circumcised on the eighth day, I’m a descendant of Israel, I’m from the tribe of Benjamin, I’m a ‘pure-blooded’ Hebrew. As for obeying sectarian law, I was a Pharisee;
6 as for zeal, a persecutor of the assembly; and as for obedience to sectarian [no “the”] law, I was faultless.
7 But the things that I had considered to be assets, I now consider to be detriments, because of the Messiah.
8 I still consider them all to be detrimental because of the superiority of the knowledge of Yeshua Messiah, my Master, for whose sake I’ve given up everything, and consider it to be dung, so that I can gain the Messiah,
9 and be found with Him, since my own righteousness is no longer derived from sectarian law, rather, it comes thru faith in the Messiah, that is, the righteousness that comes from Yehovah.
10 I want to know Yeshua, and the power of His resurrection, and to share in His sufferings, even becoming like Him in His death,
11 in the hope that I can be raised from the dead.
12 It’s not as tho I’ve already taken the prize or crossed the finish line, but I run striving to take the prize, since Yeshua Messiah has striven take me!
13 Friends, I don’t imagine that I have taken it yet. But this one thing I know, I’m forgetting the things behind me and reaching forward for what lies in front of me.
14 I run straight for the goal so that I can secure the prized invitation of Yehovah from above, thru Yeshua Messiah.
15 So then, all of us who are mature should consider these views, and if you have any different views, Yehovah will also clarify that for you.
16 However, so that we all arrive, let’s stay on the same course, and have the same mindset.
17 Friends, imitate me, and pay close attention to those who follow the pattern you have seen in us.
18 There are many who conduct themselves otherwise, as I have often described to you, and I’m telling you now, with tears, that they are enemies of the cross of the Messiah.
19 Their end state is total destruction [1], their bellies are their Aloha, their version of splendor is infamy and their thoughts are limited to things on earth.
20 But our preoccupation is with Heaven. It is from there that we are awaiting the Life Giver, our Master Yeshua Messiah.
21 He will transform our lower status bodies so that we will have the same outward appearance [see root words] as His own magnificent body, using the same supernatural power that puts everything else under His control. [1] This destruction is complete annihilation. To demonstrate this, check out how the root word (apollumi) is used in virtually all 92 instances in a lexicon. 2 I urge Euodias and Syntyche to be of one mind, thru Yehovah.
3 I also urge you, my true colleague, to help the women who worked hard with me in proclaiming the Good News, together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are recorded in the Book of Life.
4 Always rejoice in Yehovah. I repeat, rejoice!
5 Your humility should be recognized by everyone. Our Master is near.
6 Don’t be anxious about anything, but in every situation, let Yehovah know about your needs thru prayer, asking with thankfulness.
7 And Yehovah’s peace that surpasses all of our perceptions will stand watch over your minds and your thoughts, thru Yeshua Messiah.
8 Finally Friends, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is reputable, whatever is commendable, anything virtuous and anything worthy of celebration—think about those things.
9 Keep doing the things that you have learned and accepted as true, and heard or seen in me, and the Aloha of peace will be with you.
10 I rejoice greatly in Yehovah, now that you have resumed caring for me, just as you used to care for me, tho you haven’t had the opportunity lately.
11 Yet I’m not saying this because I’m in any need, because I’ve learned to be satisfied independent of external circumstances.
12 I know what it is to be reduced to humble circumstances, and how to live with abundant furnishings. I have experience with all kinds of things, whether fullness or hunger, being left with much or being left behind in the race.
13 I am empowered to do anything thru the Messiah who strengthens me.
14 It was good of you to share in my troubles.
15 You Philippians also know that from the time I first brought you the Good News, after I left Macedonia, not one of the assemblies helped me in regard to receiving or giving, except for you.
16 Even while I was in Thessalonica, you sent me relief a couple of times.
17 Not that I want your generosity, rather, I want to see your ‘harvest’ increased.
18 I have enough of everything—more than enough, I am overflowing now that I have received from Epaphroditus what you sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable ze’bak [sacrifice] that is truly pleasing to Yehovah.
19 May Yehovah fully provide for all of your needs from His great wealth of splendor in Yeshua Messiah.
20 Praise and honor belongs to Yehovah our Father for ages and ages. Aw-main.
21 Greetings to every 'special one' [saint] and coworker of Yeshua Messiah. The Friends who are with me send their greetings.
22 All of the 'special ones' greet you, especially the members of Caesar’s household.
23 May the good will of our Master Yeshua Messiah be with you all. Aw-main. End of the letter to the Philippians that was written in Rome and sent by Epaphroditus. COLOSSIANS is next. Compare the Testimony of Yeshua Version of this book with the 1851 Murdock or the 1849 Etheridge Versions of “The Testimony of Yeshua” (New Testament).
Sectarian Detriments
Not One Assembly Helped Me
