1 ¶ Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

So, my dear Christian brothers, you are my joy and crown. I want to see you. Keep on staying true to the Lord, my dear friends.

2 I beseech Euodias and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

I ask Euodias and Syntyche to agree as Christians should.

3 A nd I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women who laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also and with my other fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

My true helper, I ask you to help these women who have worked with me so much in preaching the Good News to others. Clement helped also. There are others who worked with me. Their names are in the book of life.

4 R ejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice.

Be full of joy always because you belong to the Lord. Again I say, be full of joy!

5 L et your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is near.

Let all people see how gentle you are. The Lord is coming again soon.

6 B e anxious for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.

Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need.

7 A nd the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 F inally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, exercise yourselves in these things.

Christian brothers, keep your minds thinking about whatever is true, whatever is respected, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever can be loved, and whatever is well thought of. If there is anything good and worth giving thanks for, think about these things.

9 T hose things, which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in me, do, and the God of peace shall be with you.

Keep on doing all the things you learned and received and heard from me. Do the things you saw me do. Then the God Who gives peace will be with you.

10 ¶ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me has flourished again, in which ye were also concerned, but ye lacked opportunity.

The Lord gives me a reason to be full of joy. It is because you are able to care for me again. I know you wanted to before but you did not have a way to help me.

11 N ot that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.

I am not saying I need anything. I have learned to be happy with whatever I have.

12 I know both how to be humbled, and I know how to have an abundance; in everything and by all things I am instructed, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

I know how to get along with little and how to live when I have much. I have learned the secret of being happy at all times. If I am full of food and have all I need, I am happy. If I am hungry and need more, I am happy.

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I can do all things because Christ gives me the strength.

14 N otwithstanding ye have done well, that ye did communicate with my tribulation.

It was kind of you to help me when I was in trouble.

15 N ow ye Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel when I departed from Macedonia, no congregation communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

You Philippians also know that when I first preached the Good News, you were the only church that helped me. It was when I left for the country of Macedonia.

16 F or even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

Even while I was in the city of Thessalonica you helped me more than once.

17 N ot because I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

It is not that I want to receive the gift. I want you to get the pay that is coming to you later.

18 B ut I have all and abound; I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

I have everything I need and more than enough. I am taken care of because Epaphroditus brought your gift. It is a sweet gift. It is a gift that cost you something. It is the kind of gift God is so pleased with.

19 B ut my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

And my God will give you everything you need because of His great riches in Christ Jesus.

20 ¶ Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Now may our God and Father be honored forever. Let it be so.

21 G reet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.

Greet all those who belong to Christ Jesus. The Christian brothers here with me greet you.

22 A ll the saints greet you, chiefly those that are of the Caesar’s household.

All those who belong to Christ say hello, and most of all, those who live in Caesar’s house.

23 T he grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

May your spirit have the loving-favor of the Lord Jesus Christ.