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Scripture: Philippians 1:27-2:18
27 Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life(A) worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm(B) in one(C) spirit, in one accord,[a] contending together for the faith(D) of the gospel, 28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents.(E) This is a sign of destruction for them,(F) but of your salvation(G)—and this is from God. 29 For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe(H) in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.
2 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love,(I) if any fellowship with the Spirit,(J) if any affection and mercy,(K) 2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way,(L) having the same love,(M) united in spirit, intent on one(N) purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition(O) or conceit,(P) but in humility(Q) consider others as more important(R) than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests,(S) but rather to the interests of others.(T)
5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
6 who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God(U)
as something to be exploited.[b]
7 Instead he emptied himself(V)
by assuming the form of a servant,(W)
taking on the likeness of humanity.(X)
And when he had come as a man,
8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.(Y)
9 For this reason God highly exalted him(Z)
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow(AA)—
in heaven(AB) and on earth
and under the earth(AC)—
11 and every tongue(AD) will confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory(AE) of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my dear friends,(AF) just as you have always obeyed,(AG) so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling(AH) and arguing,(AI) 15 so that you may be blameless(AJ) and pure,(AK) children of God who are faultless(AL) in a crooked(AM) and perverted(AN) generation,(AO) among whom you shine like stars in the world, 16 by holding firm to the word(AP) of life. Then I can boast(AQ) in the day of Christ(AR) that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. 17 But even if I am poured out(AS) as a drink offering(AT) on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.