^2:3Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition⁵ or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself.

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Philippians 2:3–4: Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Footnotes

5 Grk “not according to selfish ambition.” There is no main verb in this verse; the subjunctive φρονήτε (phronēte, “be of the same mind”) is implied here as well. Thus, although most translations supply the verb “do” at the beginning of v. 3 (e.g., “do nothing from selfish ambition”), the idea is even stronger than that: “Don’t even think any thoughts motivated by selfish ambition.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.

NLTNew Living Translation

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Do nothing according to selfish ambition or according to empty conceit, but in humility considering one another better than yourselves,

KJV 1900King James Version

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

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