ARKCODEX
Philippians
Ch. 3–4
The True Righteousness
1In conclusion, my friends, be joyful in your union with the Lord. I don't mind repeating what I have written before, and you will be safer if I do so.
2Watch out for those who do evil things, those dogs, those who insist on cutting the body.
3It is we, not they, who have received the true circumcision, for we worship God by means of his Spirit and rejoice in our life in union with Christ Jesus. We do not put any trust in external ceremonies.
4I could, of course, put my trust in such things. If any of you think you can trust in external ceremonies, I have even more reason to feel that way.
5I was circumcised when I was a week old. I am an Israelite by birth, of the tribe of Benjamin, a pure-blooded Hebrew. As far as keeping the Jewish Law is concerned, I was a Pharisee,
6and I was so zealous that I persecuted the church. As far as a person can be righteous by obeying the commands of the Law, I was without fault.
7But all those things that I might count as profit I now reckon as loss for Christ's sake.
8Not only those things; I reckon everything as complete loss for the sake of what is so much more valuable, the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have thrown everything away; I consider it all as mere garbage, so that I may gain Christ
9and be completely united with him. I no longer have a righteousness of my own, the kind that is gained by obeying the Law. I now have the righteousness that is given through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God and is based on faith.
10All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death,
11in the hope that I myself will be raised from death to life.
Running toward the Goal
12I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself.
13Of course, my friends, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead.
14So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God's call through Christ Jesus to the life above.
15All of us who are spiritually mature should have this same attitude. But if some of you have a different attitude, God will make this clear to you.
16However that may be, let us go forward according to the same rules we have followed until now.
17Keep on imitating me, my friends. Pay attention to those who follow the right example that we have set for you.
18I have told you this many times before, and now I repeat it with tears: there are many whose lives make them enemies of Christ's death on the cross.
19They are going to end up in hell, because their god is their bodily desires. They are proud of what they should be ashamed of, and they think only of things that belong to this world.
20We, however, are citizens of heaven, and we eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven.
21He will change our weak mortal bodies and make them like his own glorious body, using that power by which he is able to bring all things under his rule.
Philippians 4
Instructions
1So then, my friends, how dear you are to me and how I miss you! How happy you make me, and how proud I am of you!—this, dear friends, is how you should stand firm in your life in the Lord.
2Euodia and Syntyche, please, I beg you, try to agree as sisters in the Lord.
3And you too, my faithful partner, I want you to help these women; for they have worked hard with me to spread the gospel, together with Clement and all my other fellow workers, whose names are in God's book of the living.
4May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice!
5Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. The Lord is coming soon.
6Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.
7And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.
8In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.
9Put into practice what you learned and received from me, both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives us peace will be with you.
Thanks for the Gift
10In my life in union with the Lord it is a great joy to me that after so long a time you once more had the chance of showing that you care for me. I don't mean that you had stopped caring for me—you just had no chance to show it.
11And I am not saying this because I feel neglected, for I have learned to be satisfied with what I have.
12I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little.
13I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.
14But it was very good of you to help me in my troubles.
15You Philippians know very well that when I left Macedonia in the early days of preaching the Good News, you were the only church to help me; you were the only ones who shared my profits and losses.
16More than once when I needed help in Thessalonica, you sent it to me.
17It is not that I just want to receive gifts; rather, I want to see profit added to your account.
18Here, then, is my receipt for everything you have given me—and it has been more than enough! I have all I need now that Epaphroditus has brought me all your gifts. They are like a sweet-smelling offering to God, a sacrifice which is acceptable and pleasing to him.
19And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs.
20To our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
Final Greetings
21Greetings to each one of God's people who belong to Christ Jesus. The believers here with me send you their greetings.
22All God's people here send greetings, especially those who belong to the Emperor's palace.
23May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.