Philippians 2

So if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, any comfort from His love, any common sharing in the Spirit, any tenderness and compassion,

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your dealings with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
didn't consider equality with God
something to be used to His own advantage.

Instead He made Himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself
by becoming obedient to death —
even death on a cross.

That's why God raised Him to the highest place
and gave Him the name that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

So then, my dear friends, as you've always obeyed — not only when I was there but much more now that I'm not — keep working out your salvation with fear and trembling,

because it's God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil His good purpose.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing,

so you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you'll shine among them like stars in the sky

as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I'll be able to boast on the day of Christ that I didn't run or labour for nothing.

But even if I'm being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I'm glad, and I'm glad with all of you.

So you too should be glad, and be glad with me.

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I can be cheered up when I get news about you.

I've got nobody else like him, who takes a genuine interest in how you're doing.

Everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he's served with me in the work of the gospel.

So I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.

And I'm confident in the Lord that I'll come myself before long.

But I think it's necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to look after my needs.

He's been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.

He was ill, and he nearly died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but on me as well, to spare me sorrow on top of sorrow.

So I'm all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you'll be glad and I'll have less to worry about.

So welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and think highly of people like him,

because he nearly died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you couldn't give me.