Philippians 2:12-18

New Living Translation

Shine Brightly for Christ

¹²Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. ¹³For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

¹⁴Do everything without complaining and arguing, ¹⁵so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. ¹⁶Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. ¹⁷But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God,^[a] just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. ¹⁸Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

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Footnotes

2:17 Greek I will rejoice even if I am to be poured out as a liquid offering.

Philippians 2:12-18

New International Version

Do Everything Without Grumbling

¹²Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,^(A) ¹³for it is God who works in you^(B) to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.^(C)

¹⁴Do everything without grumbling^(D) or arguing, ¹⁵so that you may become blameless^(E) and pure, “children of God^(F) without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”^[a]^(G) Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ^(H) that I did not run^(I) or labor in vain.^(J) ¹⁷But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering^(K) on the sacrifice^(L) and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.^(M) ¹⁸So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.