Chapter 4

¹So, my dear brothers whom I so long to see, my joy and pride, stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.

²I appeal to Euodia and I appeal to Syntyche to agree together, as Christians. ³And I beg you, my true comrade, help them, for they toiled at my side in spreading the good news, with Clement and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

⁴Goodbye, and the Lord be with you always. Again I say, goodbye. ⁵Let all men see your forbearing spirit. The Lord is coming soon. ⁶Have no anxiety about anything, but make all your wants known to God in prayer and entreaty, and with thanksgiving. ⁷Then, through your union with Christ Jesus, the peace of God, so far above any human thought, will guard your minds and thoughts.

⁸Now, brothers, let your minds dwell on what is true, what is worthy, what is right, what is pure, what is amiable, what is kindly—on everything that is excellent or praiseworthy. ⁹Do the things that you learned, received, and heard from me, and that you saw me do. Then God who gives peace will be with you.

¹⁰I was very glad, as a Christian, to have your interest in me revive again after so long; for you have always been interested, but you have had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹Not that I have anything to complain of, for I have learned how to be contented with the condition I am in. ¹²I know how to live humbly and I know how to enjoy plenty. I have learned the secret, in any and all conditions, of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of going without. ¹³I can do anything through him who gives me strength. ¹⁴But it was very kind of you to share my difficulties. ¹⁵And you at Philippi know as well as I do, that in the early days of the good news, after I left Macedonia, no church but yours went into partnership and opened an account with me. ¹⁶Even when I was at Thessalonica you sent money more than once for my needs. ¹⁷Not that I want your gifts, but I want you to have the profits that will accumulate to your credit. ¹⁸You have paid me in full, and more too. I am fully supplied with what I have received from you through Epaphroditus. It is like fragrant incense, just such a sacrifice as God welcomes and approves. ¹⁹My God will gloriously supply all your needs with his wealth, through your union with Christ Jesus. ²⁰Glory to our God and Father forever and ever. Amen.

²¹Remember me to all my fellow-Christians. The brothers who are with me wish to be remembered to you. ²²All God’s people wish to be remembered to you, especially those who belong to the emperor’s household.

²³The blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits.