Philippians 3:6-4:14

English Standard Version

^6 (A)as to zeal, ^(B)a persecutor of the church; ^(C)as to righteousness under the law,^[a] blameless. ⁷ But ^(D)whatever gain I had, ^(E)I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of ^(F)the surpassing worth of ^(G)knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I ^(H)have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having ^(I)a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but ^(J)that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— ^10 (K)that I may know him and ^(L)the power of his resurrection, and ^(M)may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ that by any means possible I may ^(N)attain the resurrection from the dead.

Straining Toward the Goal

¹² Not that I have already ^(O)obtained this or ^(P)am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: ^(Q)forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for ^(R)the prize of the upward ^(S)call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let those of us who are ^(T)mature think this way, and if in anything ^(U)you think otherwise, ^(V)God will reveal that also to you. ¹⁶ Only ^(W)let us hold true to what we have attained.

¹⁷ Brothers, ^(X)join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk ^(Y)according to the example you have in us. ¹⁸ For ^(Z)many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you ^(AA)even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. ^19 (AB)Their end is destruction, ^(AC)their god is their belly, and ^(AD)they glory in their shame, with ^(AE)minds set on earthly things. ²⁰ But ^(AF)our citizenship is in heaven, and ^(AG)from it we ^(AH)await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who will transform ^(AI)our lowly body ^(AJ)to be like his glorious body, ^(AK)by the power that enables him even ^(AL)to subject all things to himself.

4 Therefore, my brothers,^[b] whom I love and ^(AM)long for, ^(AN)my joy and ^(AO)crown, ^(AP)stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer

² I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to ^(AQ)agree in the Lord. ³ Yes, I ask you also, true companion,^[c] help these women, who have labored^[d] side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, ^(AR)whose names are in the book of life.

^4 (AS)Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your reasonableness^[e] be known to everyone. ^(AT)The Lord is at hand; ^6 (AU)do not be anxious about anything, ^(AV)but in everything by prayer and supplication ^(AW)with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And ^(AX)the peace of God, ^(AY)which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ What you have learned^[f] and ^(AZ)received and heard and seen ^(BA)in me—practice these things, and ^(BB)the God of peace will be with you.

God's Provision

¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length ^(BC)you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be ^(BD)content. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and ^(BE)hunger, abundance and ^(BF)need. ¹³ I can do all things ^(BG)through him who strengthens me.

¹⁴ Yet it was kind of you ^(BH)to share^[g] my trouble.