4:1 So then, my friends, how dear you are to me and how I miss you! How happy you make me, and how proud I am of you!---this, dear friends, is how you should stand firm in your life in the Lord. |
4:2 Euodia and Syntyche, please, I beg you, try to agree as sisters in the Lord. |
4:3 And you too, my faithful partner, I want you to help these women; for they have worked hard with me to spread the gospel, together with Clement and all my other fellow workers, whose names are in God's book of the living. |
4:4 May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice! |
4:5 Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. The Lord is coming soon. |
4:6 Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. |
4:7 And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus. |
4:8 In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable. |
4:9 Put into practice what you learned and received from me, both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives us peace will be with you. |
4:10 In my life in union with the Lord it is a great joy to me that after so long a time you once more had the chance of showing that you care for me. I don't mean that you had stopped caring for me---you just had no chance to show it. |
4:11 And I am not saying this because I feel neglected, for I have learned to be satisfied with what I have. |
4:12 I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. |
4:13 I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. |
4:14 But it was very good of you to help me in my troubles. |
4:15 You Philippians know very well that when I left Macedonia in the early days of preaching the Good News, you were the only church to help me; you were the only ones who shared my profits and losses. |
4:16 More than once when I needed help in Thessalonica, you sent it to me. |
4:17 It is not that I just want to receive gifts; rather, I want to see profit added to your account. |
4:18 Here, then, is my receipt for everything you have given me---and it has been more than enough! I have all I need now that Epaphroditus has brought me all your gifts. They are like a sweet-smelling offering to God, a sacrifice which is acceptable and pleasing to him. |
4:19 And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs. |
4:20 To our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen. |
4:21 Greetings to each one of God's people who belong to Christ Jesus. The believers here with me send you their greetings. |
4:22 All God's people here send greetings, especially those who belong to the Emperor's palace. |
4:23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. |