Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

The hidden secret

¹⁰ I’ve been having a great celebration in the Lord because your concern for me has once again burst into flower. (You were of course concerned for me before, but you didn’t have an opportunity to show it.)

¹¹ I’m not talking about lacking anything. I’ve learnt to be content with what I have. ¹² I know how to do without, and I know how to cope with plenty. In every possible situation I’ve learned the hidden secret of being full and hungry, of having plenty and going without, and it’s this: ¹³ I have strength for everything in the one who gives me power.

Closing thanks and greetings

¹⁴ But you did the right thing by entering into partnership with me in my suffering. ¹⁵ Indeed, as you people in Philippi know well, when the gospel was getting under way and I was moving on from Macedonia, there wasn’t a single other church, except yourselves, that entered into a two-way partnership with me, giving and receiving. ¹⁶ Yes: when I was in Thessalonica you sent help to me, not just once but twice.

¹⁷ I stress that it isn’t the gift I’m interested in. My concern is that you should have a healthy profit balance showing up on your account. ¹⁸ For myself, I’ve received full payment, and I’m well stocked up. In fact, I’m full to overflowing, now that I have received from Epaphroditus what you sent. It’s like a sacrifice with a beautiful smell, a worthy offering, giving pleasure to God. ¹⁹ What’s more, my God will meet all your needs, too, out of his store of glorious riches in Messiah Jesus. ²⁰ Glory be to our God and father forever and ever, Amen!