1If, then, there is any encouragement in Messiah, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of Spirit, if any affection and compassion,

2make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love, one in being and of purpose,

3doing none at all through selfishness or self-conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

4Each one should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

5For, let this mind be in you which was also in Messiah יהושע,

6who, being in the form of Elohim, did not regard equality with Elohim a matter to be grasped,

7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, and came to be in the likeness of men.

8And having been found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, death even of a stake.

9Elohim, therefore, has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name,

10that at the Name of יהושע every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

11and every tongue should confess that יהושע Messiah is Master, to the esteem of Elohim the Father.

12So that, my beloved, as you always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much rather in my absence – work out your own deliverance with fear and trembling,

13for it is Elohim who is working in youa both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.

14Do all matters without grumblings and disputings,

15in order that you be blameless and faultless, children of Elohim without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

16holding on to the Word of life, for a boast to me in the day of Messiah, that I have not run in vain or laboured in vain.

17In fact, even if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the offering and service of your belief, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

19But I trust in the Master יהושע to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I too am encouraged by news from you.

20For I have no one else of the same mind, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.

21For all seek their own interests, not those of Messiah יהושע.

22But you know he has proven himself, that as a son with his father he served with me for the Good News.

23So I expect to send him as soon as I see how it goes with me,

24and I trust in the Master that I myself shall also come shortly.

25But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditos, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, and your emissary and servant to my need,

26since he was longing for you all, and being troubled because you had heard that he was sick.

27For indeed he was sick, near to death, but Elohim had compassion on him, and not only on him but on me as well, lest I should have sadness upon sadness.

28Therefore I sent him more eagerly, so that on seeing him again you might rejoice, and I be less sad.

29Receive him therefore in the Master with all joy, and hold such as he in esteem,

30because for the work of Messiah he was near death, risking his life, to fill up what was lacking in your service toward me.