¹² From there we traveled to Philippi,^(A) a Roman colony and the leading city of that district^[a] of Macedonia.^(B) And we stayed there several days.

¹³ On the Sabbath^(C) we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. ¹⁴ One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira^(D) named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart^(E) to respond to Paul’s message. ¹⁵ When she and the members of her household^(F) were baptized,^(G) she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

⁴⁰ After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house,^(A) where they met with the brothers and sisters^(B) and encouraged them. Then they left.

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

To all God’s holy people^(B) in Christ Jesus at Philippi,^(C) together with the overseers^(D) and deacons^[a]:^(E)

² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.^(F)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ I thank my God every time I remember you.^{(G) 4} In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray^(H) with joy ⁵ because of your partnership^(I) in the gospel from the first day^(J) until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion^(K) until the day of Christ Jesus.^(L)

⁷ It is right^(M) for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart^(N) and, whether I am in chains^(O) or defending^(P) and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸ God can testify^(Q) how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love^(R) may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,^{(S) 10} so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,^(T)