1Wherefore, if there be any consolation in Christ; if any comfort of love; if any fellowship of the Spirit; if any sympathies and tender mercies, 2complete this my joy, that you be likeminded; having the very same love, being unanimous, minding the one thing. 3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but, in humbleness of mind esteem each other better that yourselves: 4not aiming every one at his own interests, but every one also, at the interests of the others. 5Now let this disposition be in you which was also in Christ Jesus; 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not affect to appear in divine majesty; 7but divested himself, taking upon him the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. 9And for this reason, God has exceedingly exalted him, and has bestowed on him a name which is above every name; 10that, at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow; of those in heaven, and upon the earth, and under the earth; 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12Wherefore, my beloved, since you have always obeyed, not in my presence only, but now much more in my absence; effectually work out your own salvation, with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who works effectually in you, both to will and to perform, on account of his benevolence. 14Do all things without murmurings and disputings; 15that you may be blameless and harmless, the children of God, unblemished in the midst of a crooked and perverse race; among whom shine as lights in the world, 16holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, nor have labored in vain. 17Yes, and if I be made a drink-offering upon the sacrifice and ministry of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all; 18and for the same do you also joy and rejoice with me. 19Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be of good courage, that I also may be of good courage, when I know your affairs. 20For I have no one like disposed, who will sincerely take care of your affairs; 21for all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. 22But you know the proof of him, that, as a son with a father, so he has served with me in the gospel. 23Now, indeed, I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I shall see how it will go with me. 24However, I am fully persuaded by the Lord, that even I myself shall soon come. 25Yet I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellowlabourer, and fellowsoldier; but your Apostle, and a minister to my want. 26For he longed after you all, and was exceedingly grieved, because you had heard that he had been sick. 27And, indeed, he was sick nigh to death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28Wherefore I have sent him the more speedily, that seeing him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the more free from sorrow. 29Receive him, therefore, in the Lord, with all joy, and have such persons in great estimation; 30because for the work of Christ, he drew nigh to death, not regarding his life, that he might fully supply the want of your service toward me.