1IF there is any encouragement in Christ, any persuasive power in love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any sympathies and compassions, 2fill up my joy by having the same love, being of the same mind, thinking the same thing, 3doing nothing in a partisan or vainglorious way, but each modestly regarding the others as of more account than himself. 4Do not be each intent on his own interests, but also on the interests of others. 5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not think that equality with God was something to be grasped, 7but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant and coming into the likeness of men, 8and when found in the condition of a man he humbled himself by becoming obedient even to death \'97 death on the cross. 9Therefore, God has highly exalted him and has graciously given him the name which is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee may bow, of beings in heaven and those on earth and those under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12So then, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with reverence and awe. 13For it is God who is working in you both the willing and the doing because of his kindness. 14Do everything without murmurings or disputings 15that you may be blameless and pure, children of God, spotless in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16holding forth the message of life, so that on the day of Christ I can boast that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17But if I am poured out as a libation on your sacrificial offering of faith, I rejoice and share the joy of you all. 18In the same way you must rejoice and share my joy. 19But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I may be cheered by knowing about you. 20For I have no one likeminded with him who will so sincerely care for your interests. 21For all pursue their own aims, not those of Christ Jesus. 22But you know how he has been tested and how like a child with a father he has served with me in spreading the good news. 23So I hope to send him at once when I see how my affairs are going. 24And I trust in the Lord that I myself shall come quickly. 25I think it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my needs, 26since he longs for you all and is troubled because you have heard that he was sick. 27Indeed he was sick and near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not on him alone, but also on me, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28I send him the more readily that you may see him and rejoice again and I be less sorrowful. 29Receive him in the Lord with all joy and hold such men in honor, 30because for the work of Christ he was near to death, hazarding his life to complete the service you were not here to do for me.