Philippians 4

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

1So, my dear friends, keep standing strong with the Lord. I love you and I miss you. You make me glad. You are like a prize a winner gets.

2I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

2Two women there are Euodia and Syntyche. I ask them both to agree with each other, as people who belong to the Lord.

3And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

3I also ask you, my true partner in work, to help these women. They worked hard with me to tell the good news about Jesus. So did Clement and my other helpers. Their names are written in God's book of life.

4Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

4Be glad, because you belong to the Lord. Be glad always. I will say it again: be glad!

5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

5Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is near.

NoteThe old word here is "moderation." It does not mean doing things halfway. It means being gentle and fair with people.

6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

6Do not worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything. Ask God for what you need. And say thank you when you ask.

NoteThe old words say "be careful for nothing." That means "do not be full of worry." It does not mean to be careless.

7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

7Then God will give you peace. It is so big that nobody can understand it. That peace will guard your heart and your mind, because you belong to Jesus.

8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

8Last of all, friends, fill your mind with good things. Think about what is true. Think about what is honest and right. Think about what is pure and lovely. Think about what people speak well of. If something is very good, think about that.

9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

9You learned things from me. You heard my words and saw how I lived. Now do those things. Then God, who gives peace, will be with you.

10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

10I am very glad, because I belong to the Lord. At last you have shown again that you care about me. You always cared. You just had no chance to help.

11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

11I do not say this because I am short of anything. I have learned to be happy with whatever I have.

12I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

12I know how to live with very little. I know how to live with plenty. I have learned the secret in every place. I know a full stomach, and I know being hungry. I know having lots, and I know needing more.

13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

13I can do all things through Christ. He is the one who makes me strong.

14Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

14Even so, you did a kind thing. You shared in my hard time and helped me.

15Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

15You people in Philippi remember the early days of the good news. When I left the land called Macedonia, no church shared gifts with me. You were the only ones who gave.

16For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

16Even when I was in the city of Thessalonica, you sent me what I needed. You did it more than once.

17Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

17I am not saying this because I want a gift. I want good things to grow and be counted for you.

18But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

18Now I have everything I need, and more. Epaphroditus brought me the gifts you sent. They are like a sweet-smelling gift given to God. God is happy to take such a gift.

NoteLong ago, people burned gifts to God, and the sweet smell went up. Paul says the church's gift to him was like one of those gifts.

19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

19My God is very rich in every good thing, because of Christ Jesus. He will give you everything you need.

20Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

20Glory belongs to our God and Father forever and ever. Amen.

21Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

21Say hello to each of God's people who belong to Christ Jesus. The friends here with me say hello too.

22All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.

22All of God's people here say hello to you. That includes the people who work in Caesar's house.

NoteCaesar was the ruler of Rome. His household means the workers and servants in his palace.

23The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

23May the Lord Jesus Christ be kind to you all. Amen.