Philippians -Colossians To all Christ's People at Philippi, with the Presiding Officers and Assistants, from Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus.

Twentieth_Century⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ To all Christ's People at Philippi, with the Presiding Officers and Assistants, from Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus. ² May God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ bless you, and give you peace. ³ Every recollection that I have of you is a cause of thankfulness to God, ⁴ Always, in every prayer that I offer for you all--my prayers are full of joy-- ⁵ Because of the share that you have had in spreading the Good News, from the first day that you received it until now. ⁶ For of this I am confident, that he who began a good work in you will complete it in readiness for the Day of Jesus Christ. ⁷ And, indeed, I am justified in feeling thus about you all; because you have a warm place in my heart--you who all, both in my imprisonment and in the work of defending and establishing the Good News, shared my privilege with me. ⁸ God will bear me witness how I yearn over you all with the tenderness of Christ Jesus. ⁹ And what I pray for is this--that your love may grow yet stronger and stronger, with increasing knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ Until you are able to appreciate all moral distinctions. And I pray, too, that you may be kept pure and blameless against the Day of Christ, ¹¹ Bearing a rich harvest of that righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. ¹² Brothers, I want you to realize that what has happened to me has actually served to forward the Good News. ¹³ It has even become evident, not only to all the Imperial Guard, but to every one else, that it is for Christ's sake that I am in chains. ¹⁴ And besides this, most of our Brothers have gained confidence in the Lord through my chains, and now venture with far greater freedom to speak of God's Message fearlessly. ¹⁵ It is true that some do proclaim the Christ out of Jealousy and opposition; but there are others who proclaim him from good- will. ¹⁶ The latter do it from love for me, knowing that I have been appointed to plead the cause of the Good News. ¹⁷ The former spread the news of the Christ in a factious spirit, and not sincerely, thinking to add to the pain of my chains. ¹⁸ But what of that? Only that in some way or other, either with assumed or with real earnestness, Christ is being made known; and at that I rejoice. ¹⁹ Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that, through your prayers and through a rich supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 'all this will make for my Salvation.' ²⁰ And this will fulfil my earnest expectation and hope that I shall have no cause for shame, but that, with unfailing courage, now as hitherto, Christ will be honored in my body, whether by my life or by my death, ²¹ For to me life is Christ, and death is gain. ²² But what if the life here in the body--if this brings me fruit from my labors? Then which to choose I cannot tell! I am sorely perplexed either way! ²³ My own desire is to depart and be with Christ, for this would be far better. ²⁴ But, for your sakes, it may be more needful that I should still remain here in the body. ²⁵ Yes, I am confident that this is so, and therefore I am sure that I shall stay, and stay near you all, to promote your progress and joy in the Faith; ²⁶ So that, when you once more have me among you, you, in your union with Christ Jesus, may find in me fresh cause for exultation. ²⁷ Under all circumstances let your lives be worthy of the Good News of the Christ: so that, whether I come and see you, or whether I hear of your affairs at a distance, I may know that you are standing firm, animated by one spirit, and joining with one heart in a common struggle for the Faith taught by the Good News, ²⁸ Without ever shrinking from your opponents. To them this will be a sign of their Destruction and of your Salvation--a sign from God. ²⁹ For, on behalf of Christ, you have had the privilege granted you, not only of trusting in him, but also of suffering on his behalf. ³⁰ You will be engaged in the same hard struggle as that which you once saw me waging, and which you hear that I am waging still. ² ¹ If, then, any encouragement comes through union with Christ, if there is any persuasive power in love, if there is any communion with the Spirit, if there is any tenderness or pity, ² I entreat you to make my happiness complete--Live together animated by the same spirit and in mutual love, one in heart, animated by one Spirit. ³ Nothing should be done in a factious spirit or from vanity, but each of you should with all humility regard others as of more account than himself, ⁴ And one and all should consider, not only their own interests, but also the interests of others. ⁵ Let the spirit of Christ Jesus be yours also. ⁶ Though the divine nature was his from the beginning, yet he did not look upon equality with God as above all things to be clung to, ⁷ But impoverished himself by taking the nature of a servant and becoming like men; ⁸ He appeared among us as a man, and still further humbled himself by submitting even to death--to death on a cross! ⁹ And that is why God raised him to the very highest place, and gave him the Name which stands above all other names, ¹⁰ So that in adoration of the Name of Jesus every knee should bend, in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth, ¹¹ And that every tongue should acknowledge JESUS CHRIST as LORD- -to the glory of God the Father. ¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always been obedient in the past, so now work out your own Salvation with anxious care, not only when I am with you, but all the more now that I am absent. ¹³ Remember it is God who, in his kindness, is at work within you, enabling you both to will and to work. ¹⁴ In all that you do, avoid murmuring and dissension, ¹⁵ So as to prove yourselves blameless and innocent-- 'faultless children of God, in the midst of an evil-disposed and perverse generation,' in which you are seen shining like stars in a dark world, ¹⁶ Offering to men the Message of Life; and then I shall be able at the Day of Christ to boast that I did not run my course for nothing, or toil for nothing. ¹⁷ And yet, even if, when your faith is offered as a sacrifice to God, my life-blood must be poured out in addition, still I shall rejoice and share the joy of you all; ¹⁸ And do you also rejoice and share my joy. ¹⁹ I hope, however, as one who trusts in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy to you before long, so that I may myself be cheered by receiving news of you. ²⁰ For I have no one but him to send--no one of kindred spirit who would take the same genuine interest in your welfare. ²¹ They are all pursuing their own aims and not those of Christ Jesus. ²² But you know what Timothy has proved himself to be, and how, like a child working for his father, he worked hard with me in spreading the Good News. ²³ It is Timothy, then, whom I hope to send, as soon as ever I can foresee how it will go with me. ²⁴ And I am confident, as one who trusts in the Lord Jesus, that before long I myself shall follow. ²⁵ Still I think it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you now, for he is my brother, fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier, and he was also your messenger to help me in my need. ²⁶ For he has been longing to see you all, and has been distressed because you heard of his illness. ²⁷ And I can assure you that his illness very nearly proved fatal. But God had pity on him, and not on him only but also on me, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ I am all the more ready, therefore, to send him, so that the sight of him may revive your spirits and my own sorrow be lightened. ²⁹ Give him, then, the heartiest of Christian welcomes, and hold such men in great honour. ³⁰ For it was owing to his devotion to the Master's work that he was at the point of death, having risked his own life in the effort to supply what was wanting in the help that you sent me. ³ ¹ In conclusion, my Brothers, all joy be yours in your union with the Lord. To repeat what I have already written does not weary me, and is the safe course for you. ² Beware of those 'dogs'! Beware of those mischievous workers! Beware of the men who mutilate themselves! ³ For it is we who are the circumcised--we whose worship is prompted by the Spirit of God, who exult in Christ Jesus, and who do not rely upon external privileges; ⁴ Though I, if any man, have cause to rely even upon them. If any one thinks he can rely upon external privileges, far more can I! ⁵ I was circumcised when eight days old; I am an Israelite by race, and of the tribe of Benjamin; I am a Hebrew, and the child of Hebrews. As to the Law, I was a Pharisee; ⁶ As to zeal, I was a persecutor of the Church; as to such righteousness as is due to Law, I proved myself blameless. ⁷ But all the things which I once held to be gains I have now, for the Christ's sake, come to count as loss. ⁸ More than that, I count everything as loss, for the sake of the exceeding value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. And for his sake I have lost everything, and count it as refuse, if I may but gain Christ and be found in union with him; ⁹ Any righteousness that I have being, not the righteousness that results from Law, but the righteousness which comes through faith in Christ--the righteousness which is derived from God and is founded on faith. ¹⁰ Then indeed I shall know Christ, and the power of his resurrection, and all that it means to share his sufferings, ¹¹ In the hope that, if I become like him in death, I may possibly attain to the resurrection from the dead. ¹² Not that I have already laid hold of it, or that I am already made perfect. But I press on, in the hope of actually laying hold of that for which indeed I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ For I, Brothers, do not regard myself as having yet laid hold of it. But this one thing I do--forgetting what lies behind, and straining every nerve for that which lies in front, ¹⁴ I press on to the goal, to gain the prize of that heavenward Call which God gave me through Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let all of us, then, whose faith is mature, think thus. Then, if on any matter you think otherwise, God will make that also plain to you. ¹⁶ Only we are bound to order our lives by what we have already attained. ¹⁷ Brothers, unite in following my example, and fix your eyes on those who are living by the pattern which we have set you. ¹⁸ For there are many--of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears--who are living in enmity to the cross of the Christ. ¹⁹ The end of such men is Ruin; for their appetites are their God, and they glory in their shame; their minds are given up to earthly things. ²⁰ But the State of which we are citizens is in Heaven; and it is from Heaven that we are eagerly looking for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ Who, by the exercise of his power to bring everything into subjection to himself, will make this body that we have in our humiliation like to that body which he has in his Glory. ⁴ ¹ So then, my dear Brothers, whom I am longing to see--you who are my joy and my crown, stand fast in union with the Lord, dear friends. ² I entreat Euodia, and I entreat Syntyche, to live in harmony, in union with the Lord; ³ Yes, and I ask you, my true comrade, to help them, remembering that they toiled by my side in spreading the Good News; and so, too, did Clement and my other fellow-workers, whose names are 'in the Book of Life.' ⁴ All joy be yours at all times in your union with the Lord. Again I repeat--All joy be yours. ⁵ Let your forbearing spirit be plain to every one. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything; but under all circumstances, by prayer and entreaty joined with thanksgiving, make your needs known to God. ⁷ Then the Peace of God, which is beyond all human understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and thoughts, through your union with Christ Jesus. ⁸ In conclusion, Brothers, wherever you find anything true or honorable, righteous or pure, lovable or praiseworthy, or if 'virtue' and 'honour' have any meaning, there let your thoughts dwell. ⁹ All that you learned and received and heard and saw in me put into practice continually; and then God, the giver of peace, will be with you. ¹⁰ It was a matter of great joy to me, as one in union with the Lord, that at length your interest in me had revived. The interest indeed you had, but not the opportunity. ¹¹ Do not think that I am saying this under the pressure of want. For I, however I am placed, have learned to be independent of circumstances. ¹² I know how to face humble circumstances, and I know how to face prosperity. Into all and every human experience I have been initiated--into plenty and hunger, into prosperity and want. ¹³ I can do everything in the strength of him who makes me strong! ¹⁴ Yet you have acted nobly in sharing my troubles. ¹⁵ And you at Philippi know, as well as I, that in the early days of the Good News--at the time when I had just left Macedonia--no Church, with the one exception of yourselves, had anything to do with me as far as giving and receiving are concerned. ¹⁶ Indeed, even while I was still in Thessalonica, you sent more than once to relieve my wants. ¹⁷ It is not that I am anxious for your gifts, but I am anxious to see the abundant return that will be placed to your account. I have enough of everything, and to spare. ¹⁸ My wants are fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts which you sent me--the sweet fragrance of a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God, out of the greatness of his wealth, will, in glory, fully satisfy your every need, through your union with Christ Jesus. ²⁰ To him, our God and Father, be ascribed all glory for every and ever. Amen. ²¹ Give my greeting to every one of the People of Christ Jesus. The Brothers who are with me send your their greetings. ²² All Christ's People here, and especially those who belong to the Emperor's household, send theirs. ²³ May the blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ rest on your souls.

Colossians

¹ ¹ From Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God, and from Timothy, our Brother. ² To Christ's People at Colossae--the Brothers who are faithful to him: May God, our Father, bless you and give you peace. ³ Whenever we pray, we never fail to thank God, the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, about you, ⁴ Now that we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all his People, ⁵ On account of the hope which awaits its fulfillment in Heaven. Of this hope you heard long ago in the true Message of the Good News which reached you-- ⁶ Bearing fruit and growing, as it does, through all the world, just as it did among you, from the very day that you heard of God's loving-kindness, and understood what that loving-kindness really is. ⁷ It is just what you learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow- servant, who, as a minister of the Christ, faithfully represents us, ⁸ And who told us of the love with which the Spirit has inspired you. ⁹ And therefore we, from the very day that we heard this, have never ceased praying for you, or asking that you may possess that deeper knowledge of the will of God, which comes through all true spiritual wisdom and insight. ¹⁰ Then you will live lives worthy of the Master, and so please God in every way. Your lives will be fruitful in every kind of good action, and your characters will grow through a fuller knowledge of God; ¹¹ You will be made strong at all points with a strength worthy of the power manifested in his Glory--strong to endure with patience, and even with gladness, whatever may befall you; ¹² And you will give thanks to the Father who made you fit to share the lot which awaits Christ's People in the realms of Light. ¹³ For God has rescued us from the tyranny of Darkness, and has removed us into the Kingdom of his Son, who is the embodiment of his love, ¹⁴ And through whom we have found deliverance in the forgiveness of our sins. ¹⁵ For Christ is the very incarnation of the invisible God-- First-born and Head of all creation; ¹⁶ For in him was created all that is in Heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible--Angels and Archangels and all the Powers of Heaven. ¹⁷ All has been created through him and for him. He was before all things, and all things unite in him; ¹⁸ And he is the Head of the Church, which is his Body. The First-born from the dead, he is to the Church the Source of its Life, that he, in all things, may stand first. ¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in him the divine nature in all its fulness should dwell, ²⁰ And through him to reconcile all things to himself (making peace by the shedding of Christ's blood offered upon the cross)-- whether on earth or in Heaven. ²¹ And it pleased God that you, once estranged from him and hostile towards him in your thoughts, intent only on wickedness-- ²² But now he has reconciled you to himself by the sacrifice of Christ's earthly body in death--it has pleased God that you should stand in his presence holy, pure, and blameless, ²³ If only you remain true to your Faith, firm and immovable, never abandoning the hope held out in the Good News to which you listened, which has been proclaimed among all created things under Heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. ²⁴ Now at last I can rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf, and in my own person I supplement the afflictions endured by the Christ, for the sake of his Body, the Church; ²⁵ Of which I myself became a minister in virtue of the office with which God entrusted me for your benefit, to declare the Message of God in all its fulness-- ²⁶ That Truth which has been hidden from former ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to God's People, ²⁷ To whom it was his pleasure to make known the surpassing glory of that hidden Truth when proclaimed among the Gentiles--'Christ among you! Your Hope of glory!' ²⁸ This is the Christ whom we proclaim, warning every one, and instructing every one, with all the wisdom that we possess, in the hope of bringing every one into God's presence perfected by union with Christ. ²⁹ It is for that I toil, struggling with all the energy which he inspires and which works powerfully within me. ² ¹ I want you to know in how great a struggle I am engaged for you and for Christ's People at Laodicea, and for all who have not yet seen me; ² In the hope that they, being bound to one another by love, and keeping in view the full blessedness of a firm conviction, may be encouraged to strive for a perfect knowledge of God's hidden Truth, ³ Even Christ himself, in whom all treasures of wisdom and knowledge lie hidden. ⁴ I say this to prevent any one from deceiving you by plausible arguments. ⁵ It is true that I am not with you in person, but I am with you in spirit, and am glad to see the good order and the unbroken front resulting from your faith in Christ. ⁶ Since, therefore, you have received Jesus, the Christ, as your Lord, live your lives in union with him-- ⁷ Rooted in him, building up your characters through union with him, growing stronger through your faith, as you were taught, overflowing with faith and thanksgiving. ⁸ Take care there is not some one who will carry you away by his 'philosophy'--a hollow sham!--following, as it does, mere human traditions, and dealing with puerile questions of this world, and not with Christ. ⁹ For in Christ the Godhead in all its fulness dwells incarnate; ¹⁰ And, by your union with him, you also are filled with it. He is the Head of all Archangels and Powers of Heaven. ¹¹ By your union with him you received a circumcision that was not performed by human hands, when you threw off the tyranny of the earthly body, and received the circumcision of the Christ. ¹² For in baptism you were buried with Christ; and in baptism you were also raised to Life with him, through your faith in the omnipotence of God, who raised him from the dead. ¹³ And to you, who once were 'dead,' by reason of your sins and your uncircumcised nature--to you God gave Life in giving life to Christ! He pardoned all our sins! ¹⁴ He canceled the bond which stood against us--the bond that consisted of ordinances--and which was directly hostile to us! He has taken it out of our way by nailing it to the cross! ¹⁵ He rid himself of all the Powers of Evil, and held them up to open contempt, when he celebrated his triumph over them on the cross! ¹⁶ Do not, then, allow any one to take you to task on questions of eating or drinking, or in the matter of annual or monthly or weekly festivals. ¹⁷ These things are only the shadow of what is to come; the substance is in the Christ. ¹⁸ Do not let any one defraud you of the reality by affecting delight in so-called 'humility' and angel-worship. Such a man busies himself with his visions, and without reason is rendered conceited by his merely human intellect. ¹⁹ He fails to maintain union with the Head, to whom it is due that the whole body, nourished and knit together by the contact and Keynesian of every part, grows with a divine growth. ²⁰ Since, with Christ, you became dead to the puerile teaching of this world, why do you submit, as though your life were still that of the world, ²¹ To such ordinances as 'Do not handle, or taste, or touch'? ²² For all the things referred to in them cease to exist when used. You are following mere human directions and instructions. ²³ Such prohibitions appear reasonable where there is a desire for self-imposed service, and so-called 'humility,' and harsh treatment of the body, but are of no real value against the indulgence of our earthly nature. ³ ¹ Since, therefore, you were raised to Life with the Christ, seek for the things that are above; for it is there that the Christ is 'seated at the right hand of God.' ² Fix your thoughts upon the things that are above, not upon those that are on earth. ³ For you died, and your Life now lies hidden, with the Christ, in God. ⁴ When the Christ, who is our Life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. ⁵ Therefore destroy all that is earthly in you--immorality, uncleanness, passions, evil desires, and that greed which is idolatry. ⁶ These are the things on account of which the Wrath of God comes, ⁷ And to which you, like others, once devoted your lives, when you lived for them. ⁸ You, however, must now lay aside all such things--anger, passion, malice, slander, abuse. ⁹ Never lie to one another. Get rid of your old self and its habits, ¹⁰ And clothe yourselves with that new self, which, as it gains in knowledge, is being constantly renewed 'in resemblance to him who made it.' ¹¹ In that new life there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeman; but Christ is all!--and in all! ¹² Therefore, as God's People, consecrated and dear to him, clothe yourselves with tenderness of heart, kindliness, humility, gentleness, forbearance; ¹³ Bearing with one another, and, when there is any ground for complaint, forgiving one another freely. As the Master freely forgave you, so you must forgive one another. ¹⁴ Over all these virtues put on love; for that is the girdle which makes all complete. ¹⁵ Let the Peace that the Christ gives decide all doubts within your hearts; for you also were called to the enjoyment of peace as members of one Body. And show yourselves thankful. ¹⁶ Let the Message of the Christ dwell in your minds in all its wealth, bringing all wisdom with it. Teach and admonish one another with psalms, and hymns, and sacred songs, full of the loving- kindness of God, lifting your hearts in song to him. ¹⁷ And, whatever you say or do, do everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus; and through him offer thanksgiving to God the father. ¹⁸ Wives, submit to your husbands, as befits those who belong to the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and never treat them harshly. ²⁰ Children, always obey your parents; for that is pleasant to see in those who belong to the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, never irritate your children, lest they should become disheartened. ²² Slaves, always obey your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you, as if you had but to please men, but giving them ungrudging service, in your reverence for the Master. ²³ Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as if working for the Master and not for men, ²⁴ Since you know that it is from the Master that you will receive the inheritance which will be your recompense. You are serving Christ, the Master. ²⁵ Those who do wrong will reap the wrong they have done; and there will be no partiality. ⁴ ¹ Masters, do what is right and fair by your slaves, for you know that you also have a Master--in Heaven. ² Devote yourselves to prayer. Give your whole mind to it, and also offer thanksgiving; ³ And at the same time pray for us, that God may give us an opening for our Message, so that we may speak of the truths hidden in the Christ--the truths for which I am in chains! ⁴ Then I shall make them known, as I ought to do. ⁵ Show tact in your behavior to the outside world, making the most of every opportunity. ⁶ Let your conversation always be kindly, and seasoned, as it were, with salt; that you may know in each case what answer you ought to give. ⁷ Our dear Brother, Tychicus, will tell you all about me. He is a faithful minister, and a fellow-servant in the Master's cause. ⁸ I send him to you expressly that you may learn our circumstances, and that he may give you encouragement. ⁹ With him will be Onesimus, our dear faithful Brother, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you all that is going on here. ¹⁰ My fellow-prisoner, Aristarchus, sends you his greeting, and Barnabas's cousin, Mark, sends his. (You have received directions about him. If he comes to you, make him welcome.) ¹¹ Joshua, who is called Justus, also sends his greeting. These are the only converts from Judaism who have worked with me for the kingdom of God; I have found them a great comfort. ¹² Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, sends you his greeting. He is a servant of Christ Jesus, and is always most earnest in your behalf in his prayers, praying that you may stand firm, with a matured faith and with a sure conviction of all that is in accordance with God's will. ¹³ I can bear testimony to the deep interest he takes in you, as well as in the Brethren at Laodicea and at Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, our dear doctor, sends you his greeting, and Demas sends his. ¹⁵ Give my greeting to the Brethren at Laodicea, and to Nymphe, and to the Church that meets at her house. ¹⁶ And when this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read before the Church at Laodicea, and that you yourselves read the letter which will be forwarded from there. ¹⁷ Give this message to Archippus--'Take care to discharge to the best of your ability the office to which you were appointed in the Master's Cause.' ¹⁸ I, Paul, add this greeting in my own handwriting. Remember these chains of mine. God's blessing be with you.