Christian Standard Bible | Christian Standard Bible |
1If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, | 1If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, |
2make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. | 2make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. |
3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. | 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. |
4Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. | 4Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. |
5Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, | 5Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, |
6who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. | 6who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. |
7Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, | 7Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, |
8he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death--even to death on a cross. | 8he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death--even to death on a cross. |
9For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, | 9For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, |
10so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow--in heaven and on earth and under the earth-- | 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow--in heaven and on earth and under the earth-- |
11and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. | 11and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. |
12Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. | 12Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. |
13For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. | 13For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. |
14Do everything without grumbling and arguing, | 14Do everything without grumbling and arguing, |
15so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, | 15so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, |
16by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn't run or labor for nothing. | 16by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn't run or labor for nothing. |
17But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. | 17But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. |
18In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me. | 18In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me. |
19Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you. | 19Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you. |
20For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; | 20For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; |
21all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. | 21all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. |
22But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. | 22But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. |
23Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. | 23Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. |
24I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon. | 24I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon. |
25But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus--my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need-- | 25But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus--my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need-- |
26since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. | 26since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. |
27Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. | 27Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. |
28For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious. | 28For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious. |
29Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor, | 29Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor, |
30because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me. | 30because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me. |
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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