Philippians 4
J.B. Phillips New Testament
4 So, my brothers whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, do stand firmly in the Lord, and remember how much I love you.
Be united, be joyful, be at peace
2-3 Euodius and Syntyche I beg you by name to make up your differences as Christians should! And, my true fellow-worker help these women. They both worked hard with me for the Gospel, as did Clement and all my other fellow-workers whose names are in the book of life.
4-5 Delight yourselves in God, yes, find your joy in him at all times. Have a reputation for gentleness, and never forget the nearness of your Lord.
6-7 Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus.
8-9 Here is a last piece of advice. If you believe in goodness and if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on the things which are holy and right and pure and beautiful and good. Model your conduct on what you have learned from me, on what I have told you and shown you, and you will find the God of peace will be with you.
The memory of your generosity is an abiding joy to me
10-13 It has been a great joy to me that after all this time you have shown such interest in my welfare. I don’t mean that you had forgotten me, but up till now you had no opportunity of expressing your concern. Nor do I mean that I have been in actual need, for I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular I have learned the secret of facing either poverty or plenty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the one who lives within me.
14-17 Nevertheless I am not disparaging the way in which you were willing to share my troubles. You Philippians will remember that in the early days of the Gospel when I left Macedonia, you were the only church who shared with me the fellowship of giving and receiving. Even in Thessalonica you twice sent me help when I was in need. It isn’t the value of the gift that I am keen on, it is the reward that will come to you because of these gifts that you have made.
18-20 Now I have everything I want—in fact I am rich. Yes, I am quite content, thanks to your gifts received through Epaphroditus. Your generosity is like a lovely fragrance, a sacrifice that pleases the very heart of God. My God will supply all that you need from his glorious resources in Christ Jesus. And may glory be to our God and our Father for ever and ever, amen!
Farewell messages
21-22 Greetings to every true Christian, from me and all the brothers here with me. All the Christians here would like to send their best wishes, particularly those who belong to the emperor’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
PAUL
Filipperne 4
Dette er Biblen på dansk
4 Derfor, mine Brødre, elskede og savnede, min Glæde og Krans! står således fast i Herren, I elskede!
2 Evodia formaner jeg, og Syntyke formaner jeg til at være enige i Herren. 3 Ja, jeg beder også dig, min ægte Synzygus! tag dig af dem; thi de have med mig stridt i Evangeliet, tillige med Klemens og mine øvrige Medarbejdere, hvis Navne stå i Livets Bog.
4 Glæder eder i Herren altid; atter siger jeg: glæder eder! 5 Eders milde Sind vorde kendt at alle Mennesker! Herren er nær! 6 Værer ikke bekymrede for noget, men lader i alle Ting eders Begæringer komme frem for Gud i Påkaldelse og Bøn med Taksigelse; 7 og Guds Fred, som overgår al Forstand, skal bevare eders Hjerter og eders Tanker i Kristus Jesus. 8 I øvrigt, Brødre! alt, hvad der er sandt, hvad der er ærbart, hvad der er retfærdigt, hvad der er rent, hvad der er elskeligt, hvad der har godt Lov, enhver Dyd og enhver Hæder: lægger eder det på Sinde! 9 Hvad I både have lært og modtaget og hørt og set på mig, dette skulle I gøre, og Fredens Gud skal være med eder.
10 Men jeg har højlig glædet mig i Herren over, at I nu omsider ere komne til Kræfter, så at I kunne tænke på mit Vel, hvorpå I også forhen tænkte, men I manglede Lejlighed. 11 Dette siger jeg ikke af Trang; thi jeg har lært at nøjes med det, jeg har. 12 Jeg forstår at være i ringe Kår, og jeg forstår også at have Overflod; i alt og hvert er jeg indviet, både i at mættes og i at hungre, både i at have Overflod og i at lide Savn. 13 Alt formår jeg i ham, som gør mig stærk. 14 Dog gjorde I vel i at tage Del i min Trængsel. 15 Men I vide det også selv, Filippensere! at i Evangeliets Begyndelse, da jeg drog ud fra Makedonien, var der ingen Menighed, som havde Regning med mig over givet og modtaget, uden I alene. 16 Thi endog i Thessalonika sendte I mig både een og to Gange, hvad jeg havde nødig. 17 Ikke at jeg attrår Gaven, men jeg attrår den Frugt, som bliver rigelig til eders Fordel. 18 Nu har jeg nok af alt og har Overflod; jeg har fuldt op efter ved Epafroditus at have modtaget eders Gave, en Vellugts-Duft, et velkomment Offer, velbehageligt for Gud. 19 Men min Gud skal efter sin Rigdom fuldelig give eder alt, hvad I have nødig, i Herlighed i Kristus Jesus. 20 Men ham, vor Gud og Fader, være Æren i Evigheders Evigheder! Amen.
21 Hilser hver hellig i Kristus Jesus. 22 De Brødre, som ere hos mig, hilse eder. Alle de hellige hilse eder, men mest de af Kejserens Hus. 23 Den Herres Jesu Kristi Nåde være med eders Ånd!
The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.