Philippians 4
1 Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
So then, my dear friends, whom I am longing to see – you who are my joy and my crown, stand fast in union with the Lord, dear friends.
2 I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord.
I entreat Euodia, and I entreat Syntyche, to live in harmony, in union with the Lord;
3 Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
yes, and I ask you, my true comrade, to help them, remembering that they toiled by my side in spreading the good news; and so, too, did Clement and my other fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!”
All joy be yours at all times in your union with the Lord. Again I repeat – All joy be yours.
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Let your forbearing spirit be plain to everyone. The Lord is near.
6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Do not be anxious about anything; but under all circumstances, by prayer and entreaty joined with thanksgiving, make your needs known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Then the peace of God, which is beyond all human understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and thoughts, through your union with Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
In conclusion, friends, whenever you find things that are true or honorable, righteous or pure, lovable or praiseworthy, or if virtue and honor have any meaning, let them fill your thoughts.
9 Do the things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
All that you learned and received and heard and saw in me put into practice continually; and then God, the giver of peace, will be with you.
10 But I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity.
It was a matter of great joy to me, as one in union with the Lord, that at length your interest in me had revived. The interest indeed you had, but not the opportunity.
11 Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.
Do not think that I am saying this under the pressure of want. For I, however I am placed, have learned to be independent of circumstances.
12 I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.
I know how to face humble circumstances, and I know how to face prosperity. Into all and every human experience I have been initiated – into plenty and hunger, into prosperity and want.
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I can do everything through the strength of the one who makes me strong!
14 However you did well that you shared in my affliction.
Yet you have acted nobly in sharing my troubles.
15 You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only.
And you at Philippi know, as well as I, that in the early days of the good news – at the time when I had just left Macedonia – no church, with the one exception of yourselves, had anything to do with me as far as giving and receiving are concerned.
16 For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need.
Indeed, even while I was still in Thessalonica, you sent more than once to relieve my wants.
17 Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.
It is not that I am anxious for your gifts, but I am anxious to see the abundant return that will be placed to your account. I have enough of everything, and to spare.
18 But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.
My wants are fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts which you sent me – the sweet fragrance of a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
19 My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
And my God, out of the greatness of his wealth, will, in glory, fully satisfy your every need, through your union with Christ Jesus.
To him, our God and Father, be ascribed all glory for every and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.
Give my greeting to everyone of the people of Christ Jesus. The Lord’s followers who are with me send your their greetings.
22 All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar’s household.
All Christ’s people here, and especially those who belong to the Emperor’s household, send theirs.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
May the blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ rest on your souls.
