2 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any compassion and affection,
2 fulfill my joy; so that you are like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one judgment.
3 So that nothing is done through self-interest or empty pride. But that in humility, everyone thinks others better than himself.
4 Do not be preoccupied with your own things, but rather with the things of others.
5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus;
6 Who, being in the form of God, did not eagerly desire equality with God as a prize.
7 But He emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant (and the likeness of a man, having been made).
8 He humbled Himself and became obedient to the death - even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore, God has highly exalted Him and given Him a Name above every Name.
10 That at the Name of Jesus, every knee should bow: in Heaven, and on Earth, and under the Earth.
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me - not only in my presence, but now much more so in my absence - work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God who works in you - both in your will and in your works - according to His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
15 so that you may be blameless and pure children of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a perverted and crooked nation (among whom you shine as lights in the world),
16 Hold forth the word of life, so that I may rejoice on the day of Christ that I have not run for nothing or labored for nothing.
17 Indeed, and though I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all!
18 And likewise also, you be glad and rejoice with me!
19 And I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.
20 For I have no one of like mind who will faithfully care for your matters.
21 For all seek their own, and not that which is Jesus Christ’s.
22 But you know the proof of him who, as a child with his father, has served with me in the Gospel.
23 Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I know how it will go with me.
24 And I trust in the Lord that I, myself, shall also come shortly.
25 But I thought it necessary to send to you my brother, fellow laborer, and fellow soldier, Epaphroditus (who is now your messenger and minister to my needs).
26 For he longed after all of you, and was full of heaviness, because you had heard that he had been sick.
27 And no doubt he was sick, very near to death. But God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, so that I should not have sorrow upon sorrow.
28 Therefore, I sent him all the more speedily, so that when you would see him again you might rejoice and I might be the less sorrowful.
29 Therefore, receive him in the Lord with all joy. And value such men highly.
30 Because he was near death for the work of Christ and did not regard his life, to fulfill that service which was lacking on your part toward me.