Remain Strong in the Lord

¹My brothers and sisters, in this way remain strong in the Lord. I love you and long for you. Dear friends, you are my joy and my crown.

² Here is what I’m asking Euodia and Syntyche to do. I’m asking them to work together in the Lord. That’s because they both belong to the Lord. ³ My true companion, here is what I ask you to do. Help these women, because they have served at my side. They have worked with me to spread the good news. So have Clement and the rest of those who have worked together with me. Their names are all written in the book of life.

Final Commands

⁴ Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful! ⁵ Let everyone know how gentle you are. The Lord is coming soon. ⁶ Don’t worry about anything. No matter what happens, tell God about everything. Ask and pray, and give thanks to him. ⁷ Then God’s peace will watch over your hearts and your minds. He will do this because you belong to Christ Jesus. God’s peace can never be completely understood.

⁸ Finally, my brothers and sisters, always think about what is true. Think about what is noble, right and pure. Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. If anything is excellent or worthy of praise, think about those kinds of things. ⁹ Do what you have learned or received or heard from me. Follow my example. The God who gives peace will be with you.

Paul Gives Thanks for the Philippians’ Gifts

¹⁰ At last you are concerned about me again. That makes me very happy. We belong to the Lord. I know that you were concerned. But you had no chance to show it. ¹¹ I’m not saying this because I need anything. I have learned to be content no matter what happens to me. ¹² I know what it’s like not to have what I need. I also know what it’s like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well fed or hungry. I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough. ¹³ I can do all this by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.

¹⁴ But it was good of you to share in my troubles. ¹⁵ And you believers at Philippi know what happened when I left Macedonia. Not one church helped me in the matter of giving and receiving. You were the only one that did. That was in the early days when you first heard the good news. ¹⁶ Even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help when I needed it. And you did it more than once. ¹⁷ It is not that I want your gifts. What I really want is what is best for you. ¹⁸ I have received my full pay and have more than enough. I have everything I need. That’s because Epaphroditus brought me the gifts you sent. They are a sweet-smelling offering. They are a gift that God accepts. He is pleased with it. ¹⁹ My God will meet all your needs. He will meet them in keeping with his wonderful riches. These riches come to you because you belong to Christ Jesus.

²⁰ Give glory to our God and Father for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

²¹ Greet all God’s people. They belong to Christ Jesus.

The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings.

²² All God’s people here send you greetings. Most of all, those who live in the palace of Caesar send you greetings.

²³ May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.