Philippians 2
1 So then, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any affection and compassion,
2 complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, and focused on one thing.
3 Do nothing out of rivalry or vanity, but in humility consider one another better than yourselves.
4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Have this way of thinking among yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus.
6 Though he existed in the form of God, he did not consider equality with God something to grasp.
7 Instead, he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant and becoming like human beings; and when he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.
9 For this reason God also exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow—in heaven, on earth, and under the earth—
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed—not only when I was present, but much more now in my absence—work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to act for his good pleasure.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and corrupt generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world.
16 Hold firmly to the word of life, so that I may have reason to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or work in vain.
17 But even if I am poured out like a drink offering over the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and I rejoice with all of you.
18 In the same way, you too should rejoice, and rejoice with me.
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be encouraged when I hear news about you.
20 For I have no one else of like mind who will sincerely care about your concerns.
21 For everyone seeks their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
22 But you know the proof he has given: like a child serving alongside his father, he served with me in the gospel.
23 So I hope to send him as soon as I see how things turn out for me.
24 And I trust in the Lord that I myself will come soon as well.
25 But I thought it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, your messenger and the one who served my needs.
26 For he was longing for all of you and was distressed because you had heard that he had been ill.
27 Indeed, he was ill and nearly died. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.
28 So I sent him with greater urgency, so that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may have less sorrow.
29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,
30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, risking his life to make up for what was lacking in your service to me.
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