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.

¹⁷ If you ^(A)address as Father the One who ^(B)impartially ^(C)judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves ^(D)in fear during the time of your ^(E)stay on earth; ¹⁸ knowing that you were not ^[a](F)redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your ^(G)futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, ¹⁹ but with precious ^(H)blood, as of a ^(I)lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

³ Do nothing ^[a]from ^[b](A)selfishness or ^(B)empty conceit, but with humility ^(C)consider one another as more important than yourselves; ^4 (D)do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ^5 (E)Have this attitude ^[c]in yourselves which was also in ^(F)Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, as He already ^(G)existed in the ^(H)form of God, ^(I)did not consider equality with God something to be ^[d]grasped, ⁷ but ^[e](J)emptied Himself by taking the form of a ^(K)bond-servant and ^[f](L)being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, ^(M)He humbled Himself by becoming ^(N)obedient to the point of death: ^(O)death ^[g]on a cross. ^9 (P)For this reason also God ^(Q)highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him ^(R)the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus ^(S)every knee will bow, of ^(T)those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is ^(U)Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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

^6 (A)See that no one deceives you with empty words, for because of these things ^(B)the wrath of God comes upon ^(C)the ^[a]sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not become ^(D)partners with them; ⁸ for ^(E)you were once ^(F)darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as ^(G)children of light ⁹ (for ^(H)the fruit of the light consists in all ^(I)goodness, righteousness, and truth), ^10 [b](J)as you try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. ^11 (K)Do not participate in the useless ^(L)deeds of ^(M)darkness, but instead even ^(N)expose them; ¹² for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. ¹³ But all things become visible ^(O)when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. ¹⁴ For this reason ^[c]it says,

¹⁵ So then, ^[d]be careful how you ^(S)walk, not ^(T)as unwise people but as wise, ^16 [e](U)making the most of your time, because ^(V)the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but ^(W)understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And ^(X)do not get drunk with wine, ^[f]in which there is ^(Y)debauchery, but be ^(Z)filled with the Spirit, ^19 (AA)speaking to ^[g]one another in ^(AB)psalms and ^(AC)hymns and spiritual ^(AD)songs, ^(AE)singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; ^20 (AF)always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our ^(AG)God and Father; ^21 [h](AH)and subject yourselves to one another in the ^[i](AI)fear of Christ.

^5 [a](A)Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward ^(B)outsiders, ^[b](C)making the most of the opportunity. ^6 (D)Your speech must always be ^[c]with grace, as though seasoned with ^(E)salt, so that you will know how you should ^(F)respond to each person.