English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
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My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don't waver. Stay on track, steady in God.
2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
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I urge Euodia and Syntyche to iron out their differences and make up. God doesn't want his children holding grudges.
3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
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And, oh, yes, Syzygus, since you're right there to help them work things out, do your best with them. These women worked for the Message hand in hand with Clement and me, and with the other veterans - worked as hard as any of us. Remember, their names are also in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
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Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!
5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
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Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
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Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
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Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
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Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
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I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess - happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it.
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
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Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances.
12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
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I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty.
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
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Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
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I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me - it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.
15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.
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You Philippians well know, and you can be sure I'll never forget it, that when I first left Macedonia province, venturing out with the Message, not one church helped out in the give-and-take of this work except you. You were the only one.
16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.
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Even while I was in Thessalonica, you helped out - and not only once, but twice.
17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
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Not that I'm looking for handouts, but I do want you to experience the blessing that issues from generosity.
18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
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And now I have it all - and keep getting more! The gifts you sent with Epaphroditus were more than enough, like a sweet-smelling sacrifice roasting on the altar, filling the air with fragrance, pleasing God no end.
19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
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You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
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Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes.
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.
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Give our regards to every Christian you meet. Our friends here say hello.
22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.
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All the Christians here, especially the believers who work in the palace of Caesar, want to be remembered to you.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
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Receive and experience the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, deep, deep within yourselves.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.