Philippians 4
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
So My Beloved, Stand Firm In This Manner
4 So then, my beloved and yearned-for brothers, my joy and crown, be standing-firm in this manner in the Lord, beloved.
Help My Fellow-Workers To Think The Same Thing
2 I exhort Euodia and I exhort Syntyche to be thinking the same[a] thing in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, genuine comrade[b], be helping these women who contended-together[c] with me in connection with the good-news, along-with both Clement and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Be Rejoicing In The Lord, Kind To All, And Praying To God
4 Be rejoicing in the Lord always; again I will say, be rejoicing. 5 Let your kindness[d] be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious-about nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgivings, let your requests be made-known to God. 7 And the peace of God surpassing all understanding will guard[e] your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Be Considering And Practicing All That Is True And Commendable
8 Finally, brothers, be considering these things— whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are commendable, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise. 9 Be practicing these things which you indeed learned and received and heard and saw in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Thank You For The Gift Epaphroditus Brought, And Your Continuing Partnership With Me
10 Now I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last you revived your thinking about me— upon which[f] indeed you were thinking, but you were lacking-opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in relation to a need, for I learned to be content in the things in which I am. 12 I indeed know-how to be humbled. I also know-how to abound. In anything and in all things, I have learned-the-secret[g]— both to be filled-to-satisfaction and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in-need. 13 I can-do all things by-means-of [h] the One strengthening me. 14 Nevertheless, you did well having co-partnered[i] in my affliction.
You Alone Have Partnered With Me From The First
15 And you also know, Philippians, that in the beginning of the good-news when I departed from Macedonia, no church partnered[j] with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 Because even in Thessalonica you sent to me both once and twice[k] for my need. 17 Not that I am seeking-for the gift, but I am seeking-for the fruit increasing to your account.
I Have Received Your Pleasing Offering To God, And I Am Abounding
18 And I am receiving everything in full, and I am abounding. I have been filled-up, having received from Epaphroditus the things from you— an aroma of fragrance, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will fill-up every need of yours in-accordance-with His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever, amen.
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially the ones from Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Footnotes
- Philippians 4:2 That is, the same mature thinking as himself, applying to them what he has been saying; or, the same thing as each other, referring to some personal dispute, making this a kind of private digression from his public letter to the church.
- Philippians 4:3 Or, yoke-fellow, a man yoked together with Paul in the work of the gospel.
- Philippians 4:3 That is, they fought in the battle alongside Paul.
- Philippians 4:5 Or, gentleness, graciousness, reasonableness, fairness.
- Philippians 4:7 Or, keep, protect.
- Philippians 4:10 That is, my situation. Or, upon whom, referring to Paul.
- Philippians 4:12 Or, been instructed, been initiated in.
- Philippians 4:13 Or, in union with.
- Philippians 4:14 Or, shared-together, participated.
- Philippians 4:15 Or, shared.
- Philippians 4:16 That is, once and again, repeatedly.
Philippians 4
International Children’s Bible
What the Christians Are to Do
4 My dear brothers, I love you and want to see you. You bring me joy and make me proud of you. Continue following the Lord as I have told you.
2 I ask Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 And because you serve faithfully with me, my friend, I ask you to help these women to do this. They served with me in telling people the Good News. They served together with Clement and others who worked with me. Their names are written in the book of life.[a]
4 Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy.
5 Let all men see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. 6 Do not worry about anything. But pray and ask God for everything you need. And when you pray, always give thanks. 7 And God’s peace will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The peace that God gives is so great that we cannot understand it.
8 Brothers, continue to think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. 9 And do what you learned and received from me. Do what I told you and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you.
Paul Thanks the Christians
10 I am very happy in the Lord that you have shown your care for me again. You continued to care about me, but there was no way for you to show it. 11 I am telling you this, but it is not because I need anything. I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything that happens. 12 I know how to live when I am poor. And I know how to live when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens. I have learned to be happy when I have enough to eat and when I do not have enough to eat. I have learned to be happy when I have all that I need and when I do not have the things I need. 13 I can do all things through Christ because he gives me strength.
14 But it was good that you helped me when I needed help. 15 You people in Philippi remember when I first preached the Good News there. When I left Macedonia, you were the only church that gave me help. 16 Several times you sent me things I needed when I was in Thessalonica. 17 Really, it is not that I want to receive gifts from you. But I want you to have the good that comes from giving. 18 And now I have everything, and more. I have all I need because Epaphroditus brought your gift to me. Your gift is like a sweet-smelling sacrifice offered to God. God accepts that sacrifice, and it pleases him. 19 My God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need. 20 Glory to our God and Father forever and ever! Amen.
21 Greet each of God’s people in Christ. God’s people who are with me send greetings to you. 22 All of God’s people greet you. And those believers from the palace of Caesar greet you, too.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Footnotes
- 4:3 book of life God’s book that has the names of all God’s chosen people (Revelation 3:5; 21:27).
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
