Philippians 2

1 If, then, any exhortation [is] in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

So then, if you're encouraged by being in Christ, if you're comforted by his love, if you share together in the Spirit, if you have compassion and sympathy—

2 fulfil ye my joy, that ye may mind the same thing — having the same love — of one soul — minding the one thing,

then make my joy complete by thinking the same way and loving the same way, spiritually united and having one purpose.

3 nothing in rivalry or vain-glory, but in humility of mind one another counting more excellent than yourselves —

Don't do anything from a spirit of selfishness or pride, but humbly think of others better than you do of yourself.

4 each not to your own look ye, but each also to the things of others.

None of you should be preoccupied about your own things—instead concern yourself with the interests of others too.

5 For, let this mind be in you that [is] also in Christ Jesus,

The attitude you should have is the same as that of Christ Jesus.

6 who, being in the form of God, thought [it] not robbery to be equal to God,

Though in his nature he was always God, he wasn't concerned to cling on to his equality with God.

7 but did empty himself, the form of a servant having taken, in the likeness of men having been made,

Instead he emptied himself, taking the nature of a servant, becoming like a human being.

8 and in fashion having been found as a man, he humbled himself, having become obedient unto death — death even of a cross,

Coming in human form, humbling himself, he submitted himself to death—even death on a cross.

9 wherefore, also, God did highly exalt him, and gave to him a name that [is] above every name,

That's why God placed him in the position of greatest honor and power, and gave him the most prestigious name—

10 that in the name of Jesus every knee may bow — of heavenlies, and earthlies, and what are under the earth —

so that in the name of Jesus everyone should bow in respect, whether in heaven or on earth or under the earth,

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

and all will declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 So that, my beloved, as ye always obey, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, with fear and trembling your own salvation work out,

So, my good friends, continue to work towards the goal of salvation with complete reverence and respect for God, following what you were told—not just when I was with you, but even more so now I'm away from you.

13 for God it is who is working in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

For it's God who is working within you, creating the will and the ability to do what he wants you to do.

14 All things do without murmurings and reasonings,

Do everything without complaining or arguing

15 that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God, unblemished in the midst of a generation crooked and perverse, among whom ye do appear as luminaries in the world,

so that you'll be sincere, innocent of any wrong. Be God's blameless children living in the middle of a dishonest and corrupt people. Shine among them as lights to the world,

16 the word of life holding forth, for rejoicing to me in regard to a day of Christ, that not in vain did I run, nor in vain did I labour;

holding out to them the word of life. That way I'll have something to be proud of when Christ returns, proving I didn't run around and work for nothing!

17 but if also I am poured forth upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and joy with you all,

So even if I pour out my life as a sacrifice and offering so you may trust in God, I'm happy for it, and I'm glad together with all of you,

18 because of this do ye also rejoice and joy with me.

just as you have such joy and are glad with me.

19 And I hope, in the Lord Jesus, Timotheus to send quickly to you, that I also may be of good spirit, having known the things concerning you,

I'm hoping, if that's what the Lord Jesus wants, to send Timothy to you soon. It will cheer me up once I know how you're doing.

20 for I have no one like-minded, who sincerely for the things concerning you will care,

I don't know anyone who genuinely cares about you as he does.

21 for the whole seek their own things, not the things of the Christ Jesus,

Other people only worry about their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

22 and the proof of him ye know, that as a child [serveth] a father, with me he did serve in regard to the good news;

But you already know what he's like—just as a child working to help his father, so he's worked with me to spread the good news.

23 him, indeed, therefore, I hope to send, when I may see through the things concerning me — immediately;

So I hope to send him as soon as I see how I'm doing,

24 and I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall quickly come.

and I trust in the Lord that shortly I'll be able to come too.

25 And I thought [it] necessary Epaphroditus — my brother, and fellow-workman, and fellow-soldier, and your apostle and servant to my need — to send unto you,

But I thought it was important to send Epaphroditus to you. He's a brother to me, a co-worker and fellow-soldier. He's the one you sent to look after me,

26 seeing he was longing after you all, and in heaviness, because ye heard that he ailed,

and he's been longing to see all of you, worried about you because you'd heard he was sick.

27 for he also ailed nigh to death, but God did deal kindly with him, and not with him only, but also with me, that sorrow upon sorrow I might not have.

He certainly was sick—he nearly died—but God had mercy on him. Not just on him, but on me too, so that I wouldn't have tragedy upon tragedy.

28 The more eagerly, therefore, I did send him, that having seen him again ye may rejoice, and I may be the less sorrowful;

That's why I'm so keen to send him, so that when you see him you'll be happy, and I won't have to be so anxious.

29 receive him, therefore, in the Lord, with all joy, and hold such in honour,

So welcome him with much happiness in the Lord—honor people like him,

30 because on account of the work of the Christ he drew near to death, having hazarded the life that he might fill up your deficiency of service unto me.

because in working for Christ he nearly died, putting his life on the line to make up for the help you weren't in a position to give me.