²⁷ Only conduct yourselves in a manner ^(A)worthy of the ^(B)gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are ^(C)standing firm in ^(D)one spirit, with one ^[a]mind ^(E)striving together for the faith of the gospel; ²⁸ and in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a ^(F)sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and this too, from God. ²⁹ For to you ^(G)it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to ^(H)suffer on His behalf, ³⁰ experiencing the same ^(I)conflict which ^(J)you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Be like Christ

2 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any ^(K)fellowship of the Spirit, if any ^[b](L)affection and compassion, ^2 (M)make my joy complete ^[c]by ^(N)being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. ³ Do nothing ^[d]from ^[e](O)selfishness or ^(P)empty conceit, but with humility ^(Q)consider one another as more important than yourselves; ^4 (R)do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ^5 (S)Have this attitude ^[f]in yourselves which was also in ^(T)Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, as He already ^(U)existed in the ^(V)form of God, ^(W)did not consider equality with God something to be ^[g]grasped, ⁷ but ^[h](X)emptied Himself by taking the form of a ^(Y)bond-servant and ^[i](Z)being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, ^(AA)He humbled Himself by becoming ^(AB)obedient to the point of death: ^(AC)death ^[j]on a cross. ^9 (AD)For this reason also God ^(AE)highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him ^(AF)the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus ^(AG)every knee will bow, of ^(AH)those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is ^(AI)Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

¹² So then, my beloved, ^(AJ)just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own ^(AK)salvation with ^(AL)fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is ^(AM)God who is at work in you, both to ^[k]desire and to work ^(AN)for His good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without ^(AO)complaining or arguments; ¹⁵ so that you will ^[l]prove yourselves to be ^(AP)blameless and innocent, ^(AQ)children of God above reproach in the midst of a ^(AR)crooked and perverse generation, among whom you ^[m](AS)appear as ^[n]lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding firmly the word of life, so that on ^(AT)the day of Christ I can take pride because I did not ^(AU)run in vain nor ^(AV)labor in vain. ¹⁷ But even if I am being ^(AW)poured out as a drink offering upon ^(AX)the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. ¹⁸ You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.