Philippians 2

1If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions,

1Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Is there any comfort in his love? Do we share the same Spirit? Is there any tenderness and mercy?

2make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;

2If so, then make me truly happy by agreeing with each other. Love one another, work together in harmony, and be of one mind.

3doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself;

3Don't do anything out of selfish ambition or to look important. Instead, be humble and think of others as being better than yourselves.

4not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.

4Don't just look out for your own interests, but take an interest in what others are going through as well.

5Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

5You should have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped,

6Even though he was God by his very nature, he did not think that being equal with God was something he had to hold onto.

7but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;

7Instead, he gave up his outward glory, taking the nature of a servant and being born as a human being.

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

8When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself and was fully obedient to God, even to the point of dying—dying on a cross.

9Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name;

9For this reason, God raised him to the highest place of honor and gave him a name that is greater than any other name.

10that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth,

10He did this so that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow—in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.

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

11And every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, bringing glory to God the Father.

12So then, my beloved, even 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;

12So, my dear friends, you have always obeyed my instructions when I was with you. Now that I am away, it is even more important that you work hard to show the results of your salvation with deep respect and fear.

13for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

13For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

14Do all things without murmurings and questionings:

14Do everything without complaining or arguing.

15that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world,

15Then no one will be able to criticize you. You will be pure and innocent children of God living in a dishonest and corrupt world. You should shine among them like bright lights in the world.

16holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain.

16Hold firmly to the message of life. Then, on the day Christ returns, I can be proud that I didn't run the race or work hard for nothing.

17Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all:

17My life may be poured out like an offering for your faith and service. If that happens, I am glad and share my joy with all of you.

18and in the same manner do ye also joy, and rejoice with me.

18In the same way, you should be glad and share your joy with me.

19But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon. Then I will be encouraged when I hear how you are doing.

20For I have no man likeminded, who will care truly for your state.

20I don't have anyone else like him who truly cares about your well-being.

21For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.

21Everyone else is busy looking out for themselves, not for the things that matter to Jesus Christ.

22But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child serveth a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the gospel.

22But you know Timothy’s character. He has served with me in spreading the Good News just like a son helping his father.

23Him therefore I hope to send forthwith, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me:

23I hope to send him to you as soon as I see what happens with my situation here.

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

24And I am confident in the Lord that I will be able to visit you myself very soon.

25But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need;

25For now, I thought it was necessary to send Epaphroditus back to you. He is my brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. You sent him to help me with my needs.

26since he longed after you all, and was sore troubled, because ye had heard that he was sick:

26I am sending him because he has been longing to see all of you. He was very worried because you heard he was sick.

27for indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.

27He really was sick and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not just on him, but also on me, so that I wouldn't have one sorrow after another.

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

28So I am even more eager to send him back. I want you to be happy when you see him again, and then I won't worry so much about you.

29Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy; and hold such in honor:

29Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and give honor to people like him.

30because for the work of Christ he came nigh unto death, hazarding his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.

30He risked his life and almost died for the work of Christ. He did this to provide the help you weren't here to give me yourselves.