Life Worthy of the Gospel

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy(A) of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm(B) in the one Spirit,[a] striving together(C) as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you(D) on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer(E) for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle(F) you saw(G) I had, and now hear(H) that I still have.

Imitating Christ’s Humility

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,(I) if any tenderness and compassion,(J) then make my joy complete(K) by being like-minded,(L) having the same love, being one(M) in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.(N) Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,(O) not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.(P)

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:(Q)

Who, being in very nature[b] God,(R)
    did not consider equality with God(S) something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing(T)
    by taking the very nature[c] of a servant,(U)
    being made in human likeness.(V)
And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death(W)
        even death on a cross!(X)

Therefore God exalted him(Y) to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,(Z)
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,(AA)
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,(AB)
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,(AC)
    to the glory of God the Father.

Do Everything Without Grumbling

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,(AD) 13 for it is God who works in you(AE) to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.(AF)

14 Do everything without grumbling(AG) or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless(AH) and pure, “children of God(AI) without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[d](AJ) Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ(AK) that I did not run(AL) or labor in vain.(AM) 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering(AN) on the sacrifice(AO) and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.(AP) 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy(AQ) to you soon,(AR) that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him,(AS) who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests,(AT) not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father(AU) he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.(AV) 24 And I am confident(AW) in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker(AX) and fellow soldier,(AY) who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.(AZ) 26 For he longs for all of you(BA) and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him,(BB) so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,(BC) 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.(BD)

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 1:27 Or in one spirit
  2. Philippians 2:6 Or in the form of
  3. Philippians 2:7 Or the form
  4. Philippians 2:15 Deut. 32:5

Proverbs of Solomon

10 The proverbs(A) of Solomon:(B)

A wise son brings joy to his father,(C)
    but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value,(D)
    but righteousness delivers from death.(E)

The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,(F)
    but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.(G)

Lazy hands make for poverty,(H)
    but diligent hands bring wealth.(I)

He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
    but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.(J)

Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
    but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.[a](K)

The name of the righteous(L) is used in blessings,[b]
    but the name of the wicked(M) will rot.(N)

The wise in heart accept commands,
    but a chattering fool comes to ruin.(O)

Whoever walks in integrity(P) walks securely,(Q)
    but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.(R)

10 Whoever winks maliciously(S) causes grief,
    and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(T)
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(U)

12 Hatred stirs up conflict,
    but love covers over all wrongs.(V)

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,(W)
    but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.(X)

14 The wise store up knowledge,(Y)
    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.(Z)

15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,(AA)
    but poverty is the ruin of the poor.(AB)

16 The wages of the righteous is life,(AC)
    but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.(AD)

17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,(AE)
    but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips(AF)
    and spreads slander is a fool.

19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
    but the prudent hold their tongues.(AG)

20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
    but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,
    but fools die for lack of sense.(AH)

22 The blessing of the Lord(AI) brings wealth,(AJ)
    without painful toil for it.(AK)

23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,(AL)
    but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.

24 What the wicked dread(AM) will overtake them;(AN)
    what the righteous desire will be granted.(AO)

25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,
    but the righteous stand firm(AP) forever.(AQ)

26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke(AR) to the eyes,
    so are sluggards to those who send them.(AS)

27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life,(AT)
    but the years of the wicked are cut short.(AU)

28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,
    but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.(AV)

29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,
    but it is the ruin of those who do evil.(AW)

30 The righteous will never be uprooted,
    but the wicked will not remain in the land.(AX)

31 From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,(AY)
    but a perverse tongue(AZ) will be silenced.

32 The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,(BA)
    but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.(BB)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:6 Or righteous, / but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence
  2. Proverbs 10:7 See Gen. 48:20.

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