1 I f there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

2 f ulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

3 L et nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

4 L ook not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

5 L et this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 w ho, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 b ut made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 a nd being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 W herefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 t hat at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 a nd that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 W herefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13 F or it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

14 D o all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 t hat ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

16 h olding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

17 Y ea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

18 F or the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

19 B ut I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

20 F or I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

21 F or all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.

22 B ut ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

23 H im therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.

24 B ut I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.

25 Y et I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

26 F or he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

27 F or indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

29 R eceive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:

30 b ecause for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.