1 | If there is therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, |
2 | Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. |
3 | Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. |
4 | Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. |
5 | Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: |
6 | Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: |
7 | But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: |
8 | And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. |
9 | Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: |
10 | That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth; |
11 | And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. |
12 | Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. |
13 | For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. |
14 | Do all things without murmurings and disputings: |
15 | That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; |
16 | Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. |
17 | And if I am even offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. |
18 | For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. |
19 | But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly to you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. |
20 | For I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state. |
21 | For all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. |
22 | But ye know the proof of him, that as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. |
23 | Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. |
24 | But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. |
25 | Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. |
26 | For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because ye had heard that he was sick. |
27 | For indeed he was sick nigh to death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. |
28 | I sent him therefore the more speedily, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. |
29 | Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: |
30 | Because for the work of Christ he was nigh to death, not regarding his life, to supply the want of your service towards me. |