⁹ And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for my needs were supplied by the brothers who came from Macedonia. So I refrained and will continue to refrain from burdening you in any way.^(A)

⁶ nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others,^(A)

⁸ and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day so that we might not burden any of you.^{(A) 9} This was not because we do not have that right but in order to give you an example to imitate.^(B)

⁹ You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.^(A)

Acknowledgment of the Philippians’ Gift

¹⁰ I rejoice^[a] in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me but had no opportunity to show it.^{[b](A) 11} Not that I am referring to being in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have.^{(B) 12} I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.^{(C) 13} I can do all things through him who strengthens me.^{(D) 14} In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.

¹⁵ You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone.^{(E) 16} For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once.

³⁷ They were stoned to death; they were sawn in two;^[a] they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented^(A)—

²⁵ Still, I think it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus—my brother and coworker and fellow soldier, your messenger^[a] and minister to my need,^(A)

¹³ How have you been worse off than the other churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!^(A)

¹⁴ Here I am, ready to come to you this third time, and I will not be a burden because I do not want what is yours but you, for children ought not to save up for their parents but parents for their children.^{(B) 15} I will most gladly spend and be spent for you. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?^{(C) 16} Be that as it may, I did not burden you. But, crafty person that I am, did I take you in by deceit?

¹² for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.

Encouragement to Be Generous

8 We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia, ² for during a severe ordeal of affliction their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.