1If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any compassion and mercy,
2Fulfill my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, and of one judgment,
3That nothing be done through contention or vainglory, but that in meekness of mind every man esteem others better than himself.
4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of other men.
5Let the same mind be in you that was even in Christ Jesus,
6Who being in the form of God, thought it no robbery to be equal with God:
7But he made himself of no reputation, and took on him the form of a servant, and was made like unto men, and was found in shape as a man.
8He humbled himself, and became obedient unto the death, even the death of the cross.
9Wherefore God hath also highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name.
10That at the Name of Jesus should every knee bow, both of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.
11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, unto the glory of God the Father.
12Wherefore my beloved, as ye have always obeyed me, not as in my presence only, but now much more in mine absence, so make an end of your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13For it is God which worketh in you both the will and the deed, even of his good pleasure.
14Do all things without murmuring and reasonings,
15That ye may be blameless, and pure, and the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a naughty and crooked nation, among whom ye 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, neither have labored in vain.
17Yea, and though I be offered up upon the sacrifice, and service of your faith, I am glad, and rejoice with you all.
18For the same cause also be ye glad, and rejoice with me.
19And I trust in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
20For I have no man like-minded, who will faithfully care for your matters.
21For all seek their own, and not that which is Jesus Christ’s.
22But ye know the proof of him, that as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the Gospel.
23Him therefore I hope to send as soon as I know how it will go with me,
24And I trust in the Lord, that I also myself shall come shortly.
25But I supposed it necessary to send my brother Epaphroditus unto you my companion in labor, and fellow soldier, even your messenger, and he that ministered unto me such things as I wanted.
26For he longed after all you, and was full of heaviness, because ye had heard that he had been sick.
27And no doubt he was sick, very near unto death: but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
28I sent him therefore the more diligently, that when ye should see him again, ye might rejoice, and I might be the less sorrowful.
29Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and make much of such:
30Because that for the work of Christ he was near unto death, and regarded not his life, to fulfill that service which was lacking on your part toward me.