| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death-- even to death on a cross. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow-- of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth-- |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14Do everything without grumbling and arguing, |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16Hold firmly to the message of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn't run or labor for nothing. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I also may be encouraged when I hear news about you. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24I am convinced in the Lord that I myself will also come quickly. |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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-- |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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 one grief on top of another. |
| 28[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 28For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice when you see him again and I may be less anxious. |
| 29[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 29Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with all joy and hold men like him in honor, |
| 30[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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. |
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