not like those who do their work only when someone is watching -- as people-pleasers -- but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart.

Grace be with all of those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

From Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.

For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped,

For there is no one here like him who will readily demonstrate his deep concern for you.

Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh!

For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, exult in Christ Jesus, and do not rely on human credentials

More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things -- indeed, I regard them as dung! -- that I may gain Christ,

Therefore let those of us who are "perfect" embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways.

Be imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and watch carefully those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example.

For many live, about whom I have often told you, and now, with tears, I tell you that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.

who will transform these humble bodies of ours into the likeness of his glorious body by means of that power by which he is able to subject all things to himself.

So then, my brothers and sisters, dear friends whom I long to see, my joy and crown, stand in the Lord in this way, my dear friends!

I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.

All the saints greet you, especially those who belong to Caesar's household.

who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the saints' inheritance in the light.

in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those who have not met me face to face.

in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

and you have been filled in him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Having been buried with him in baptism, you also have been raised with him through your faith in the power of God who raised him from the dead.

Let no one who delights in humility and the worship of angels pass judgment on you. That person goes on at great lengths about what he has supposedly seen, but he is puffed up with empty notions by his fleshly mind.

He has not held fast to the head from whom the whole body, supported and knit together through its ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God.

When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him.

and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in every respect, not only when they are watching -- like those who are strictly people-pleasers -- but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord.

For the one who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there are no exceptions.

I sent him with Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him).

And Jesus who is called Justus also sends greetings. In terms of Jewish converts, these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

Epaphras, who is one of you and a slave of Christ, greets you. He is always struggling in prayer on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters who are in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.

and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus our deliverer from the coming wrath.

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.

You are witnesses, and so is God, as to how holy and righteous and blameless our conduct was toward you who believe.

exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you live in a way worthy of God who calls you to his own kingdom and his glory.

And so we too constantly thank God that when you received God's message that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human message, but as it truly is, God's message, which is at work among you who believe.

who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted us severely. They are displeasing to God and are opposed to all people,

For who is our hope or joy or crown to boast of before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not of course you?

not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God.

Consequently the one who rejects this is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep as Christians.

For we tell you this by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep.

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.

For those who sleep, sleep at night and those who get drunk are drunk at night.

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you,

He who calls you is trustworthy, and he will in fact do this.

For it is right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,

and to you who are being afflicted to give rest together with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.

With flaming fire he will mete out punishment on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

when he comes to be glorified among his saints and admired on that day among all who have believed -- and you did in fact believe our testimony.

For the hidden power of lawlessness is already at work. However, the one who holds him back will do so until he is taken out of the way,

and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy by the breath of his mouth and wipe out by the manifestation of his arrival.

and with every kind of evil deception directed against those who are perishing, because they found no place in their hearts for the truth so as to be saved.

And so all of them who have not believed the truth but have delighted in evil will be condemned.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope,

But we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplined life and not according to the tradition they received from us.

realizing that law is not intended for a righteous person, but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,

sexually immoral people, practicing homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers -- in fact, for any who live contrary to sound teaching.

I am grateful to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful in putting me into ministry,

But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that in me as the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life.

Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

who gave himself as a ransom for all, revealing God's purpose at his appointed time.

but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God.

For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

In fact this is why we work hard and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.

Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Honor widows who are truly in need.

But the widow who is truly in need, and completely on her own, has set her hope on God and continues in her pleas and prayers night and day.

But the one who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.

and has a reputation for good works: as one who has raised children, practiced hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, helped those in distress -- as one who has exhibited all kinds of good works.

If a believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. The church should not be burdened, so that it may help the widows who are truly in need.

Elders who provide effective leadership must be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching.

Those who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent the name of God and Christian teaching from being discredited.

But those who have believing masters must not show them less respectTeach them and exhort them about these things.

and constant bickering by people corrupted in their minds and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a way of making a profit.

Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation and a trap and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

I charge you before God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who made his good confession before Pontius Pilate,

He alone possesses immortality and lives in unapproachable light, whom no human has ever seen or is able to see. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen.

Command those who are rich in this world's goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.

I am thankful to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I remember you in my prayers as I do constantly night and day.

He is the one who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me until that day.

Protect that good thing entrusted to you, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us.

And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.

No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him.

The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops.

Remind people of these things and solemnly charge them before the Lord not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen.

Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.

However, God's solid foundation remains standing, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil."

But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions.

And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people -- who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith -- also oppose the truth.

Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

You, however, must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know who taught you