Philippians 2

1Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any compassion and mercies,

2Complete my joy so that you think the same, share the same love, are united in soul, and think as one.

3Do nothing out of rivalry nor out of conceit, but in humility regard one another as superior to yourselves.

4Do not each of you consider only your own concerns, but each of you also others' concerns.

5Have this mindset among you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

6who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God a robbery.

7But he emptied himself, taking a servant's form, becoming in human likeness, and being found in fashion as a man.

8He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, the death of the cross.

9Therefore God also supremely exalted him and bestowed upon him the name above every name.

10so that in Jesus' name every knee should bow, of heavenly ones, earthly ones, and those under the earth.

11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12Therefore, my beloved, 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.

13For God is at work in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

14Do everything without grumbling and arguing.

15so that you become blameless and innocent children of God, unblemished in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

16holding forth the word of life as a boast for me on the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.

17But if I am also poured out upon the sacrifice and ministry of your faith, I rejoice and rejoice with all of you.

18You likewise rejoice, and rejoice with me.

19But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be encouraged when I learn your situation.

20For I have no one like-minded who will genuinely care about you.

21For all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

22But you know his proof, that as a child to a father, he served with me for the gospel.

23Therefore I hope to send him straightaway, as soon as I see what concerns me.

24But I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come shortly.

25But I deemed it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, but your apostle and servant for my need.

26since he was yearning for you all and distressed because you had heard that he had fallen sick.

27For indeed he was sick nearly to death, but God showed him mercy—not him alone, however, but me also—so that I might not have grief upon grief.

28Therefore I sent him more earnestly, so that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful.

29Therefore welcome him in the Lord with all joy, and hold such people honorable.

30Because for Christ's work he drew near to death, staking his life to fill up your lack in the service toward me.