2:1   Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any comfort of love, if there is any fellowship in the Spirit, if there is any compassion and sympathy,

2:2   then fill me with joy by having the same attitude, sharing the same love, being united in spirit, and keeping one purpose in mind.

2:3   Do not act out of selfish ambition or conceit, but with humility think of others as being better than yourselves.

2:4   Do not be concerned about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others.

2:5   Have the same attitude among yourselves that was also in Christ Jesus:

2:6   In God's own form existed he, And shared with God equality, Deemed nothing needed grasping.

2:7   Instead, poured out in emptiness, A servant's form did he possess, A mortal man becoming. In human form he chose to be,

2:8   And lived in all humility, Death on a cross obeying.

2:9   Now lifted up by God to heaven, A name above all others given, This matchless name possessing.

2:10   And so, when Jesus' name is called, The knees of everyone should fall Where'er they are residing.

2:11   Then every tongue in one accord, Will say that Jesus Christ is Lord, While God the Father praising.

2:12   And so, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only when I was with you but even more now that I am absent, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

2:13   For it is God who is producing in you both the desire and the ability to do what pleases him.

2:14   Do everything without complaining or arguing

2:15   so that you may be blameless and innocent, God's children without any faults among a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world

2:16   as you hold out the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or work hard in vain.

2:17   Yet even if I am being poured out like an offering as part of the sacrifice and service I offer for your faith, I rejoice, and I share my joy with all of you.

2:18   In the same way, you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.

2:19   Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I can be encouraged when I learn of your condition.

2:20   I do not have anyone else like him who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.

2:21   For all the others look after their own interests, not after those of Jesus Christ.

2:22   But you know his proven worth-how like a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.

2:23   Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things are going to turn out for me.

2:24   Indeed, I am confident in the Lord that I will come to visit you soon.

2:25   Meanwhile, I thought it best to send Epaphroditus-my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and minister to my need-back to you.

2:26   For he has been longing for all of you and is troubled because you heard that he was sick.

2:27   Indeed, he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow on top of another.

2:28   Therefore, I am especially eager to send him so that you may have the joy of seeing him again, and so that I may feel relieved.

2:29   So welcome him in the Lord with all joy, and make sure you honor such people highly.

2:30   For he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.