Philippians 4
1 So then, my brethren, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand ye in the Lord, beloved.
So stand firm in the Lord, my dear friends who mean so much to me, who make me so happy! To me you are my crowning achievement! I truly love you and long to see you!
2 Euodia I exhort, and Syntyche I exhort, to be of the same mind in the Lord;
Euodia and Syntyche—I urge you to resolve your differences with each other and agree in the Lord.
3 and I ask also thee, genuine yoke-fellow, be assisting those women who in the good news did strive along with me, with Clement also, and the others, my fellow-workers, whose names [are] in the book of life.
In fact, my faithful fellow-worker, let me ask you to help these women, for they worked together with me to spread the good news—as well as Clement and my other co-workers, whose names are recorded in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice;
Always be happy in the Lord—I repeat, Be happy!
5 let your forbearance be known to all men; the Lord [is] near;
Everyone should know about your kindness. The Lord will soon be here.
6 for nothing be anxious, but in everything by prayer, and by supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God;
Don't worry about anything, but take everything to God in prayer, explaining your requests to him and thanking him for all he does.
7 and the peace of God, that is surpassing all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Then the peace that comes from God, which is better than we can ever imagine, will protect your thoughts and attitudes in Christ Jesus.
8 As to the rest, brethren, as many things as are true, as many as [are] grave, as many as [are] righteous, as many as [are] pure, as many as [are] lovely, as many as [are] of good report, if any worthiness, and if any praise, these things think upon;
Lastly, whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, beautiful, commendable, whatever is truly good and deserves to be praised, think about these kinds of things.
9 the things that also ye did learn, and receive, and hear, and saw in me, those do, and the God of the peace shall be with you.
Put into practice what you learned and received from me, what you saw me doing and heard me say. Then the God of peace will be with you.
10 And I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye flourished again in caring for me, for which also ye were caring, and lacked opportunity;
I'm so happy in the Lord that you've at last thought about me again—realizing that you were concerned about me before but you couldn't do anything about it.
11 not that in respect of want I say [it], for I did learn in the things in which I am — to be content;
I'm not talking about my own needs, because I've already learned to be satisfied in whatever situation I find myself.
12 I have known both to be abased, and I have known to abound; in everything and in all things I have been initiated, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want.
I'm used to having nothing, and I've experienced having plenty too. In every possible situation I've learned the secret of dealing with having plenty and going hungry, of being rich and of living in poverty:
13 For all things I have strength, in Christ's strengthening me;
I can do anything through him who makes me strong!
14 but ye did well, having communicated with my tribulation;
Even so it was good of you to share with me during my troubles.
15 and ye have known, even ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the good news when I went forth from Macedonia, no assembly did communicate with me in regard to giving and receiving except ye only;
You Philippians remember that right at the beginning of sharing the good news, when I left Macedonia, that yours was the only church that helped me financially.
16 because also in Thessalonica, both once and again to my need ye sent;
Even when I was in Thessalonica you helped me out not once but twice.
17 not that I seek after the gift, but I seek after the fruit that is overflowing to your account;
Not that I'm looking for a donation—I'm looking for your “account” to increase in “profit.”
18 and I have all things, and abound; I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things from you — an odour of a sweet smell — a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God:
For I have everything, more than I need! I'm thankful to receive from Epaphroditus the things you sent. They're like a sweet-smelling sacrifice that pleases God and that he approves of.
19 and my God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus;
My God will fill you with everything you need in accordance with his glorious wealth in Christ Jesus!
Glory be to God the Father, forever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)
21 Salute ye every saint in Christ Jesus; there salute you the brethren with me;
Greet every fellow-believer in Christ Jesus. The Christian brothers and sisters with me send their greetings.
22 there salute you all the saints, and specially those of Caesar's house;
All the believers send you greetings, especially those from Caesar's palace.
23 the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [is] with you all. Amen.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
