1Now then, if there be any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any deep inner affections and compassions, 2Fulfill my joy, that you be of the same mind, having the same love, being joined together in soul, minding the one thing. 3Let nothing be done through contention or vainglory, but in humility, each esteeming the others above himself. 4Let each one look not only after his own things, but let each one also consider the things of others.

5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; 6Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7But emptied Himself, and was made in the likeness of men, and took the form of a servant; 8And being found in the manner of man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Therefore, God has also highly exalted Him and bestowed upon Him a name which is above every name; 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of beings in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11And every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

12So then, my beloved, even as you 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. 13For it is God Who works in you both to will and to do according to His good pleasure.

14Do all things without complaints and disputes; 15So that you may be blameless and without offense, innocent children of God in the midst of a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16Holding forth the Word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, nor labored in vain. 17But if I am also poured out on the sacrifice and ministration of your faith, I am glad and rejoice together with you all. 18And you in the same way also are glad and rejoice together with me.

19Now I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon that I may also be encouraged when I know your state of affairs; 20For I have no one who is likeminded, who has genuine concern for you. 21For all are seeking their own things, not the things of Christ Jesus. 22But you know the proof of him, that as a child with a father, he served with me in the gospel. 23Therefore, I hope to send him to you as soon as I see how my situation turns out. 24Now I have confidence in the Lord that I myself also shall come soon;

25But I felt it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and soldier, but your messenger and minister for my need, 26Since he was longing after all of you, and was deeply depressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27For indeed he was sick, and close to death; but God had mercy on him; and not on him alone, but also on me, so that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore, I have sent him with great care so that you might rejoice when you see him again, and I might be less sorrowful. 29So then, receive him in the Lord with all joy, and hold such in honor; 30Because for the sake of the work of Christ he came near to death, having disregarded his own life, so that he might fill up the deficiency of your service toward me.