Christ’s Example of Humility
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from flove, any gparticipation in the Spirit, any haffection and sympathy, 2 icomplete my joy by being jof the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from kselfish ambition or lconceit, but in mhumility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you nlook not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 oHave this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,1 6 pwho, though he was in qthe form of God, did not count equality with God ra thing to be grasped,2 7 but semptied himself, by taking the form of a tservant,3 ubeing born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by vbecoming obedient to the point of death, weven death on a cross. 9 xTherefore yGod has zhighly exalted him and bestowed on him athe name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus bevery knee should bow, cin heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and devery tongue confess that Jesus Christ is eLord, to the glory of God the Father.
Lights in the World
12 Therefore, my beloved, fas you have always gobeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for hit is God who works in you, both to will and to work for ihis good pleasure.
14 Do all things jwithout grumbling or kdisputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, lchildren of God mwithout blemish nin the midst of oa crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine pas lights in the world, 16 holding fast to qthe word of life, so that in rthe day of Christ sI may be proud that tI did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be upoured out as a drink offering upon vthe sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus wto send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one xlike him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all yseek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s4 zproven worth, how aas a son5 with a father bhe has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and cI trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you dEpaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and efellow soldier, and your messenger and fminister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So greceive him in the Lord with all joy, and hhonor such men, 30 for he nearly died6 ifor the work of Christ, risking his life jto complete what was lacking in your service to me.
1 Be not uenvious of evil men,
nor desire to be vwith them,
2 for their hearts wdevise violence,
and their lips xtalk of trouble.
3 By ywisdom a house is built,
and by understanding it is established;
4 by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all zprecious and pleasant riches.
5 aA wise man is full of strength,
and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
6 for by bwise guidance you can wage your war,
and in cabundance of counselors there is victory.
7 Wisdom is dtoo high for a fool;
in ethe gate he does not open his mouth.
8 Whoever fplans to do evil
will be called a schemer.
9 gThe devising1 of folly is sin,
and hthe scoffer is an abomination to mankind.
10 If you ifaint in the day of adversity,
your strength is small.
11 jRescue those who are being taken away to death;
hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
kdoes not he who lweighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who mkeeps watch over your soul know it,
and will he not repay man naccording to his work?
13 My son, oeat honey, for it is good,
and pthe drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul;
if you find it, there will be qa future,
and your hope will not be cut off.
15 rLie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous;
do no violence to his home;
16 sfor the righteous falls tseven times and rises again,
but uthe wicked stumble in times of calamity.
17 vDo not rejoice when your enemy falls,
and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
18 lest the Lord see it and be displeased,
and turn away his anger from him.
19 wFret not yourself because of evildoers,
and be not xenvious of the wicked,
20 for the evil man has no qfuture;
ythe lamp of the wicked will be put out.
21 My son, zfear the Lord and the king,
and do not join with those who do otherwise,
22 for disaster will arise suddenly from them,
and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?
More Sayings of the Wise
23 These also are sayings of athe wise.
bPartiality in judging is not good.
24 Whoever csays to the wicked, “You are in the right,”
dwill be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,
25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
and a good blessing will come upon them.
26 Whoever gives an honest answer
kisses the lips.
27 ePrepare your work outside;
get everything ready for yourself in the field,
and after that build your house.
28 fBe not a witness against your neighbor without cause,
and do not deceive with your lips.
29 Do not say, g“I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will pay the man back for what he has done.”
30 hI passed by the field of a sluggard,
by the vineyard of a man ilacking sense,
31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;
the ground was covered with nettles,
and its stone jwall was broken down.
32 Then I saw and kconsidered it;
I looked and received instruction.
33 lA little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.
