Philippians 3:1) Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
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Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.
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For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh--
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though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:
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circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;
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as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
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But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
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What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
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and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
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I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
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and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
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Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
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Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
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I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
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All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
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Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
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Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
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For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
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Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.
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But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
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who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Philippians 4:1) Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
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I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
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Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, [8] help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
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Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
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Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
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Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
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And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
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Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
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Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
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For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
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When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
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Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
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Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
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You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
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But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
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Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
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and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
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Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
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Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
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Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
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And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
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Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
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Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
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And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
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Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
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Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
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Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
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Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
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Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
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Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
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since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
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Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
Colossians 4:1) Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
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Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
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And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
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Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
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Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
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Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
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Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
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I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.
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He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
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My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)
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Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.
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Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
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I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
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Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.
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Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
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After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
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Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord."
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I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
