Practical Counsel

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I also ask you, true partner,[a] to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness[b] be known to everyone. The Lord is near.(A) Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses(B) all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.(C)

Finally[c] brothers and sisters, whatever is true,(D) whatever is honorable,(E) whatever is just,(F) whatever is pure,(G) whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence(H) and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received(I) and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

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Footnotes

  1. 4:3 Or true Syzygus, possibly a person’s name
  2. 4:5 Or gentleness
  3. 4:8 Or In addition

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind(A) in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers,(B) whose names are in the book of life.(C)

Final Exhortations

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!(D) Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.(E) Do not be anxious about anything,(F) but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.(G) And the peace of God,(H) which transcends all understanding,(I) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.(J) And the God of peace(K) will be with you.

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