Philippians 4
1 My fellow believers, I love you, and I long for you. You make me happy [MTY], and I am (proud of/pleased with) you. Dear friends, on the basis [of all that I have told you], continue to believe firmly in the Lord doing what I have just taught you.
So then, my dear friends, whom I am longing to see – you who are my joy and my crown, stand fast in union with the Lord, dear friends.
2 I urge [you(sg)], Euodia, and I urge [you(sg)], Syntyche, to again have a peaceful relationship with each other, [because you both have a relationship with] the Lord.
I entreat Euodia, and I entreat Syntyche, to live in harmony, in union with the Lord;
3 And, my faithful comrade/partner, I request that you [(sg)] help them [to again have a peaceful relationship with each other], because they have [faithfully proclaimed] the message [about Christ] together with me, [even though many people] have opposed us [(exc)]. They have faithfully proclaimed that message together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names [are] in the book [in which God has written the names of all those people who will] live [forever].
yes, and I ask you, my true comrade, to help them, remembering that they toiled by my side in spreading the good news; and so, too, did Clement and my other fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 [Because you have a relationship with] the Lord, always rejoice! I’m saying it again, rejoice!
All joy be yours at all times in your union with the Lord. Again I repeat – All joy be yours.
5 [Act in such a way that] everyone can know that you are gentle. The Lord is coming soon.
Let your forbearing spirit be plain to everyone. The Lord is near.
6 Do not worry about anything. Instead, in every situation, pray [to God], tell him what you need, and ask him [to help you] [DOU]. Also thank [him for what he does for you].
Do not be anxious about anything; but under all circumstances, by prayer and entreaty joined with thanksgiving, make your needs known to God.
7 As a result, God will enable you not to worry [about anything] [MTY] (OR, God will protect your minds [in every way]) [PRS]. [That is], he will cause you to have [inner] peace [because you have a relationship with] Christ Jesus. You will not be able to understand [PRS] [how you can be so peaceful in such difficult circumstances!]!
Then the peace of God, which is beyond all human understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and thoughts, through your union with Christ Jesus.
8 My fellow believers, there is one more thing I [want you to do]. Whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is right, whatever is morally pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is admirable, whatever is good, whatever [deserves] praise, those are the things that you should continually think about.
In conclusion, friends, whenever you find things that are true or honourable, righteous or pure, loveable or praiseworthy, or if virtue and honour have any meaning, let them fill your thoughts.
9 Those things that I have taught you and that you have learned from me, those things that you have heard me [say] and that you have seen me [do], those are the things that you yourselves should continually do. As a result [of your doing those things], God, the one who [causes us to] have [inner] peace, will (be with/bless) you.
All that you learned and received and heard and saw in me put into practice continually; and then God, the giver of peace, will be with you.
10 I rejoice greatly [and thank] the Lord because now, after some time, [by sending money to me] you have once again shown that you are concerned about me [EUP]. Indeed, you were concerned about me [all the time], but you had no opportunity [to show that you were concerned about me].
It was a matter of great joy to me, as one in union with the Lord, that at length your interest in me had revived. The interest indeed you had, but not the opportunity.
11 I am saying this not because I [am concerned that I] lack things [that I need]. In fact, I have learned to be content in whatever [situation] I am.
Do not think that I am saying this under the pressure of want. For I, however I am placed, have learned to be independent of circumstances.
12 [Specifically], I know how [to be content when] I do not have what I need, and I know how [to be content when] I have plenty. I have learned how [to be content] in any and every [situation] [DOU]. [Specifically], I have learned how [to be content when] I have enough to eat, and I have learned how [to be content when] I do not have enough to eat. I have learned how [to be content when] I have plenty [DOU] [of what I need], and I have learned [how to be content when] I lack [things].
I know how to face humble circumstances, and I know how to face prosperity. Into all and every human experience I have been initiated – into plenty and hunger, into prosperity and want.
13 I am able (to cope with/to handle) every situation because [Christ] gives me the strength to do that.
I can do everything through the strength of the one who makes me strong!
14 Nevertheless, you did very well by [helping me] (OR, [giving me money]) [EUP] while I have been suffering hardship.
Yet you have acted nobly in sharing my troubles.
15 [My friends there at Philippi], you yourselves know that when I first [proclaimed] the message about Christ [to you], and then left there to go to Macedonia [province], you were the only group of believers [LIT] who [sent me] gifts [EUP] in order that I might [proclaim that message] to others just like I did for you.
And you at Philippi know, as well as I, that in the early days of the good news – at the time when I had just left Macedonia – no church, with the one exception of yourselves, had anything to do with me as far as giving and receiving are concerned.
16 Even [when I was] in Thessalonica [city], you sent [money] [EUP] to me two different times [IDM] in order to [supply] what I needed.
Indeed, even while I was still in Thessalonica, you sent more than once to relieve my wants.
17 I say this, not because I desire that you give me money now. Instead, I desire that [God] will abundantly bless [MET] you as a result of [your helping me].
It is not that I am anxious for your gifts, but I am anxious to see the abundant return that will be placed to your account. I have enough of everything, and to spare.
18 But I have received a very generous [gift] [EUP] [from you], and [as a result], I have plenty. I have an abundant supply [of what I need because] I have received from Epaphroditus the money [EUP] that you [sent to me]. God considers that your gift is very acceptable, and he is very pleased with it. [Your gift is like] a nice-smelling sacrifice [MET].
My wants are fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts which you sent me – the sweet fragrance of a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
19 [Moreover], God, [whom] I [serve], has an unlimited supply [of everything that we(inc) need]. And as a result, because of your relationship with Christ Jesus, he will completely supply everything that you need.
And my God, out of the greatness of his wealth, will, in glory, fully satisfy your every need, through your union with Christ Jesus.
To him, our God and Father, be ascribed all glory for every and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)
21 Greet [for me/us(exc)] all of God’s people [there, that is, all those who have a relationship with] Christ Jesus. The fellow believers who [serve God together] with me here send their greetings to you (OR, say they are thinking fondly of you).
Give my greeting to everyone of the people of Christ Jesus. The Lord’s followers who are with me send your their greetings.
22 All of God’s people [here] send their greetings to you. Especially the [fellow believers who work] in the palace of the emperor send their greetings to you.
All Christ’s people here, and especially those who belong to the Emperor’s household, send theirs.
23 My desire is [that our] Lord Jesus Christ [will continue to] act kindly toward you all [SYN].
May the blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ rest on your souls.
