The Bible in Basic English BBE
New International Version NIV
13 For it is God who is the cause of your desires and of your acts, for his good pleasure.
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for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do all things without protests and arguments;
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Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
15 So that you may be holy and gentle, children of God without sin in a twisted and foolish generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,
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so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
16 Offering the word of life; so that I may have glory in you in the day of Christ, because my running was not for nothing and my work was not without effect.
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as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
17 And even if I am offered like a drink offering, giving myself for the cause and work of your faith, I am glad and have joy with you all:
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But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
18 And in the same way do you be glad and have a part in my joy.
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So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
19 But I am hoping in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you before long, so that I may be comforted when I have news of you.
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I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.
20 For I have no man of like mind who will truly have care for you.
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I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.
21 For they all go after what is theirs, not after the things of Christ.
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For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
22 But his quality is clear to you; how, as a child is to its father, so he was a help to me in the work of the good news.
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But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
23 Him then I am hoping to send as quickly as possible, when I am able to see how things will go for me:
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I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.