Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks

Finally, Rejoice In The Lord

3 Finally, my brothers, be rejoicing in the Lord. To be writing the same things to you is not troublesome for me, and is safe for you—

Watch Out For The False Circumcision

² Be watching-out-for the dogs^[a], be watching out for the evil workers, be watching out for the mutilation^[b]. ³ For we are the circumcision, the ones worshiping in the Spirit of God and boasting in Christ Jesus and not putting-confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though myself having confidence even in the flesh!

If Anyone Can Put Confidence In The Flesh, I More

If any other person thinks that he may put-confidence in the flesh, I more— ⁵ in circumcision the eighth day; from the nation of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew from Hebrews; in relation to the Law— a Pharisee; ⁶ in relation to zeal— persecuting the church; in relation to the righteousness in the Law— having been blameless^[c].

But I Count All Such Things As Loss That I May Know Christ And His Power

⁷ But what things were gains to me, these I have regarded to be a loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ But more than that, I am indeed regarding all things to be a loss for the sake of the surpassing greatness of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for the sake of Whom I suffered-loss-of all things and am regarding them as garbage in order that I might gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the Law but the one through faith^[d] in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith— ¹⁰ that I might know Him and the power of His resurrection and the partnership^[e] of His sufferings, being conformed to His death ¹¹ if somehow^[f] I might attain to [the power of] the resurrection-out from the dead.

Brothers, I Am Forgetting The Past And Pressing On Toward The True Prize

¹² Not that I already obtained it or have already been made-perfect^[g], but I am pressing-on to see if I may indeed take-hold-of ^[h] that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold, but one thing I do: forgetting the things behind and stretching-toward the things ahead, ¹⁴ I am pressing-on toward the goal for the prize of the upward^[i] calling from God in Christ Jesus.

All Who Claim To Be Mature: Think This Same Way. Imitate Me

¹⁵ Therefore, all who are mature— let us be thinking^[j] this. And if you are thinking anything differently, God will reveal this also to you. ¹⁶ Nevertheless, to what thinking we attained, by the same let us be walking-in-line. ¹⁷ Be fellow-imitators of me, brothers, and be watching the ones walking in this manner, just as you have us as a pattern.

For There Are Many Enemies of The Cross. They Focus On Earthly Things

¹⁸ For many walk as to whom I was often saying to you, and now even weeping say, they are the enemies of the cross of Christ— ¹⁹ whose end is destruction, whose god is their stomach and glory is in their shame— the ones thinking^[k] the earthly things.

And Our Citizenship Is In Heaven

²⁰ For our place-of-citizenship is in the heavens, from where also we are eagerly-awaiting the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ Who will transform the body of our lowliness^[l] so as to be similar-in-form^[m] to the body of His glory, according-to the working that enables Him also to subject all things to Himself.

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^[n] thing in the Lord. ³ Yes, I ask you also, genuine comrade^[o], be helping these women who contended-together^[p] 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^[q] 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^[r] 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^[s] 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^[t]— 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 ^[u] the One strengthening me. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, you did well having co-partnered^[v] 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^[w] 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^[x] 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.