8. And when he was living as a man,he humbled himself and was fully obedient to God.He obeyed even when that caused his death—death on a cross.
9. So God raised Christ to the highest place.God made the name of Christ greater than every other name.
10. God wants every knee to bow to Jesus—everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.
11. Everyone will say, “Jesus Christ is Lord”and bring glory to God the Father.
12. My dear friends, you have always obeyed. You obeyed God when I was with you. It is even more important that you obey now while I am not with you. Keep on working to complete your salvation, and do it with fear and trembling.
13. Yes, God is working in you to help you want to do what pleases him. Then he gives you the power to do it.
14. Do everything without complaining or arguing.
15. Then you will be innocent and without anything wrong in you. You will be God’s children without fault. But you are living with crooked and mean people all around you. Among them you shine like stars in the dark world.
16. You offer to them the teaching that gives life. So when Christ comes again, I can be happy because my work was not wasted. I ran in the race and won.
17. Your faith makes you offer your lives as a sacrifice in serving God. Perhaps I will have to offer my own blood with your sacrifice. But if that happens, I will be happy and full of joy with all of you.
18. You also should be happy and full of joy with me.