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1 If there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any comfort provided by love, if there is any fellowship in the Spirit, if there are any tender mercies and compassions,
2 then make my joy full by being of the same mind, having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose.
3 Do nothing out of ambition or empty conceit. Instead with humility consider others better than yourselves.
4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
5 Have this mind in yourselves which also was in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he existed in the form of God, did not consider his equality with God as something to hold on to.
7 Instead, he emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, and he was born in the likeness of men.
8 He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God also highly exalted him. He freely gave him the name that is above every name.
10 He did this so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend, the knees of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth.
11 He did this so that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 So then, my beloved, as you always obey, not only in my presence but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without complaining or arguing
15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without blemish in the middle of a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine as lights in the world.
16 Hold on to the word of life so that on the day of Christ I may boast that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
17 But even if I am being poured out as an offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
18 In the same manner you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may also be encouraged when I know the things about you.
20 For I have no one else like him, who is truly concerned for you.
21 For they all seek their own interests, not the things of Jesus Christ.
22 But you know his proven worth, because as a son with his father, so he served with me in the gospel.
23 So I hope to send him as soon as I see how things will go with me.
24 But I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.
25 But I think it is necessary to send Epaphroditus back to you. He is my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and servant for my needs.
26 For he was very distressed, and he longed to be with you all, because you heard that he was sick.
27 For indeed he was so sick that he almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but also on me, so that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.
28 So it is all the more eagerly that I am sending him, so that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I can have less sorrow.
29 Welcome Epaphroditus in the Lord with all joy. Honor people like him.
30 For it was for the work of Christ that he came near death. He risked his life to serve me and bring to completion what what you were unable to complete in your service to me.