Philippians 4 : Easy-to-Read Version
Some Things to Do
4 1My dear brothers [and sisters], I love you and want to see you. You bring me joy and make me proud of you. Continue following the Lord like I have told you. 2I ask Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3And because you serve faithfully with me, my friend, I ask you to help these women do this. These women served with me in telling people the Good News.* They served together with Clement and the other people who worked with me. Their names are written in the book of life.* 4Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy. 5Let all people see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. 6Don't worry about anything. But pray and ask God for everything you need. And when you pray, always give thanks. 7And God's peace will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. That peace which God gives is so great that we cannot understand it. 8Brothers [and sisters], continue to think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. 9And do the things that you learned and received from me. Do the things I told you and the things you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you.
Paul Thanks the Philippian Christians
10I am very happy in the Lord that you have shown your care for me again. You continued to care about me, but there was no way for you to show it. 11I am telling you these things, but it is not because I need something. I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything that happens. 12I know how to live when I am poor. And I know how to live when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens. I have learned to be happy when I have enough to eat and when I don't have enough to eat. I have learned to be happy when I have all the things I need and when I don't have the things I need. 13I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength. 14But it was good that you helped me when I needed help. 15You people in Philippi remember when I first told the Good News* there. When I left Macedonia, you were the only church that gave me help. 16Several times you sent me things I needed when I was in Thessalonica. 17Really, it is not that I want to get gifts from you. But I want you to have the good that comes [from giving]. 18I have all the things I need. I have even more than I need. I have all I need because Epaphroditus brought your gift to me. Your gift is like a sweet-smelling sacrifice* offered to God. God accepts that sacrifice and it pleases him. 19My God is very rich with the glory of Christ Jesus. God will use his riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need. 20Glory to our God and Father forever and ever. Amen. 21Say hello to each of God's people in Christ. God's people who are with me say hello to you. 22All of God's people say hello to you. And those believers from Caesar's* palace say hello, too. 23The grace (kindness) of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Good News, message The news that God has made a way for people to have their sins forgiven and live with God forever. book of life God's book that has the names of all God's chosen people (Rev. 3:5; 21:27). sacrifice An offering or gift to God. Caesar The name or title given to the emperor (ruler) of Rome.