1
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If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of charity, if any society of the spirit, if any bowels of commiseration:
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2
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Fulfil ye my joy, that you be of one mind, having the same charity, being of one accord, agreeing in sentiment.
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3
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Let nothing be done through contention: neither by vain glory. But in humility, let each esteem others better than themselves:
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4
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Each one not considering the things that are his own, but those that are other men's.
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5
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For let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
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6
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Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
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7
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But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men,
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8
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And in habit found as a man. He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross.
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9
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For which cause, God also hath exalted him and hath given him a name which is above all names:
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10
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That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth:
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11
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And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.
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12
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Wherefore, my dearly beloved, (as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only but much more now in my absence) with fear and trembling work out your salvation.
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13
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For it is God who worketh in you, both to will and to accomplish, according to his good will.
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14
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And do ye all things without murmurings and hesitations:
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15
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That you may be blameless and sincere children of God, without reproof, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation: among whom you shine as lights in the world.
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16
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Holding forth the word of life to my glory in the day of Christ: because I have not run in vain, nor laboured in vain.
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17
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Yea, and if I be made a victim upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and congratulate with you all.
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18
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And for the selfsame thing, do you also rejoice and congratulate with me.
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19
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And I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy unto you shortly, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know the things concerning you.
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20
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For I have no man so of the same mind, who with sincere affection is solicitous for you.
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21
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For all seek the things that are their own not the things that are Jesus Christ's.
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22
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Now know ye the proof of him: that as a son with the father, so hath he served with me in the gospel.
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23
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Him therefore I hope to send unto you immediately: so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
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24
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And I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall come to you shortly.
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25
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But I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow labourer and fellow soldier, but your apostle: and he that hath ministered to my wants.
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26
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For indeed he longed after you all: and was sad, for that you had heard that he was sick.
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27
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For indeed he was sick, nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him. And not only on him, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
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28
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Therefore, I sent him the more speedily: that seeing him again, you may rejoice, and I may be without sorrow.
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29
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Receive him therefore with all joy in the Lord: and treat with honour such as he is.
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30
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Because for the work of Christ he came to the point of death: delivering his life, that he might fulfil that which on your part was wanting towards my service.
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