The Word Became Flesh
1 aIn the beginning bwas cthe Word, and the Word was dwith God, and ethe Word was God. 2 fHe was in the beginning with God. 3 gAll things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 hIn him was life,1 and the life was the ilight of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 jThere was a man ksent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a lwitness, mto bear witness about the light, nthat all might believe through him. 8 oHe was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9 The true plight, which gives light qto everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own,2 and rhis own people3 did not sreceive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, twho believed uin his name, he gave the right to become vchildren of God, 13 who were wborn, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word xbecame flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his yglory, glory as of the only zSon4 from the Father, full of agrace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, b‘He who comes after me ranks cbefore me, because he was dbefore me.’”) 16 For from his efullness we have all received, grace upon grace.5 17 For the law was given fthrough Moses; ggrace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 hNo one has ever seen God; God the only Son, who6 is iat the Father’s side,7 jhe has made him known.
Christ’s Example of Humility
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any sparticipation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 tcomplete my joy by ubeing of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from vselfish ambition or wconceit, xbut in yhumility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 zLet each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 aHave this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,1 6 bwho, cthough dhe was in the form of God, edid not count fequality with God a thing to be grasped,2 7 but gemptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,3 hbeing born iin the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he jhumbled himself by becoming kobedient to the point of death, leven death on a cross. 9 mTherefore God has highly nexalted him and bestowed on him the name that is oabove every name, 10 so that at the pname of Jesus qevery knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue rconfess that sJesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Lights in the World
12 Therefore, my beloved, tas you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, uwork out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who vworks in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do all things wwithout grumbling or xdisputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a ycrooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as zlights in the world, 16 holding fast to the aword of life, so that in the day of Christ bI may be proud that I did not crun din vain or labor in vain. 17 eEven if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, fI am glad and grejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
