English Standard Version

New Living Translation

Christ’s Example of Humility

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

1

Have the Attitude of Christ

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?

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complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

2

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

3

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

3

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

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Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

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Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

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Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,a

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You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

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who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,b

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Though he was God,a
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.

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but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,c being born in the likeness of men.

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Instead, he gave up his divine privilegesb;
he took the humble position of a slavec
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,d

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And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

8

he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

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Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

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Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,

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

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

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

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

12

Lights in the World

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

12

Shine Brightly for Christ

Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.

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for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

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For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

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Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

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Do everything without complaining and arguing,

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that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

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so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

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holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

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Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

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Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

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But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God,e just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.

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Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

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Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

19

Timothy and Epaphroditus

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.

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Paul Commends Timothy

If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along.

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For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.

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I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare.

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For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

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All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.

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But you know Timothy’sd proven worth, how as a sone with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

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But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.

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I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me,

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I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here.

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and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

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And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.

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I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,

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Paul Commends Epaphroditus

Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need.

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for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.

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I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill.

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Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

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And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him — and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.

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I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.

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So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you.

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So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men,

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Welcome him in the Lord’s lovef and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve.

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for he nearly diedf for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

30

For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.

Parallel

English Standard Version

New Living Translation

Philippians 2

Philippians 2