Philippians 2

Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from love, if any fellowship based on the spirit, if any compassion or mercy,

then make my joy complete by having the same mindset, having the same love, and being united together with one soul—of one mind.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or out of conceit, but in humility value others above yourselves.

Each of you should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of each other.

Have this mindset in you that was also in Christ Jesus,

who, though being in the form of God, he considered equality with God not something to be grasped at,

but instead emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, becoming like the rest of humankind, and being found in fashion as a man;

he humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death—even death on a cross!

And therefore God raised him to the highest place of honor and gave him the name that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—

and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

because it is God who is working in you both to want to do, and to do, his good pleasure.

Do all things without complaining or arguing

so that you are blameless and pure, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation. Shine among them as lights in the world

as you hold fast the word of life, so that I have a reason for boasting on the Day of Christ, that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Indeed, even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service coming from your trust, I rejoice and share my joy with you all,

and in the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.

Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too will be cheered up when I learn how you are doing.

For I have no one else that is like-minded, who will genuinely care for your interests,

because they are all seeking their own interests, not the interests of Jesus Christ.

But you know his proven character, that like a child with a father, he has served with me in the advancement of the good news.

Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things will go with me,

although I have confidence in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.

Meanwhile, I consider it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you—my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and servant to me in my need—

since he has been longing for you all and was very troubled because you heard that he was sick.

For indeed he was sick, close to death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.

Therefore, I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you can rejoice, and so that I will be less anxious about you.

So welcome him as a brother in the Lord with all joy and hold people like him in high regard,

because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life in order to provide what you were not able to in your service to me.