To the Philippians
2 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ,+ if any consolation of love, if any sharing of spirit,+ if any tender affections+ and compassions, 2 make my joy full in that YOU are of the same mind+ and have the same love, being joined together in soul, holding the one thought in mind,+ 3 doing nothing out of contentiousness+ or out of egotism,+ but with lowliness of mind considering that the others are superior+ to YOU, 4 keeping an eye, not in personal interest upon just YOUR own matters,*+ but also in personal interest upon those of the others.+
5 Keep this mental attitude* in YOU that was also in Christ Jesus,+ 6 who, although he was existing in God’s form,+ gave no consideration to a seizure,* namely, that he should be equal to God.+ 7 No, but he emptied himself and took a slave’s form+ and came to be in the likeness of men.+ 8 More than that, when he found himself in fashion as a man,+ he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death,+ yes, death on a torture stake.*+ 9 For this very reason also God exalted him to a superior position+ and kindly gave him the name that is above every [other] name,+ 10 so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground,+ 11 and every tongue should openly acknowledge*+ that Jesus Christ is Lord+ to the glory of God the Father.+
12 Consequently, my beloved ones, in the way that YOU have always obeyed,+ not during my presence only, but now much more readily during my absence, keep working out YOUR own salvation with fear+ and trembling; 13 for God is the one that, for the sake of [his] good pleasure, is acting within YOU+ in order for YOU both to will and to act.+ 14 Keep doing all things free from murmurings+ and arguments,*+ 15 that YOU may come to be blameless+ and innocent, children+ of God without a blemish in among a crooked and twisted generation,+ among whom YOU are shining as illuminators in the world,+ 16 keeping a tight grip on the word of life,+ that I may have cause for exultation in Christ’s day,+ that I did not run in vain or work hard in vain.+ 17 Notwithstanding, even if I am* being poured out like a drink offering*+ upon the sacrifice+ and public service to which faith has led YOU,+ I am glad and I rejoice+ with all of YOU.* 18 Now in the same way YOU yourselves also be glad and rejoice with me.*+
19 For my part I am hoping in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to YOU shortly, that I may be a cheerful soul+ when I get to know about the things pertaining to YOU. 20 For I have no one else of a disposition like his who will genuinely care+ for the things pertaining to YOU. 21 For all the others are seeking their own interests,+ not those of Christ Jesus. 22 But YOU know the proof he gave of himself, that like a child+ with a father he slaved with me in furtherance of the good news. 23 This, therefore, is the man I am hoping to send just as soon as I have seen how things stand concerning me. 24 Indeed, I am confident* in [the] Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.+
25 However, I consider it necessary to send to YOU E·paph·ro·diʹtus,+ my brother and fellow worker+ and fellow soldier,+ but YOUR envoy* and private servant for my need, 26 since he is longing to see all of YOU* and is depressed because YOU heard he had fallen sick. 27 Yes, indeed, he fell sick nearly to the point of death; but God had mercy+ on him, in fact, not only on him, but also on me, that I should not get grief upon grief. 28 Therefore with the greater haste I am sending him, that on seeing him YOU may rejoice again and I may be the more free from grief. 29 Therefore give him the customary welcome+ in [the] Lord with all joy; and keep holding men of that sort dear,+ 30 because on account of the Lord’s* work he came quite near to death, exposing his soul* to danger,+ that he might fully make up for YOUR not being here to render private service to me.+