Advent, Day 20: World's Best Advice

I will say it again!

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Philippians 4:4-8 might be the best and most universally applicable life advice ever written in any language. Facing death, near the close of what will be his last farewell to his beloved friends, Paul insists that every instant of life should be one of joy in everything that’s truly good.

This passage has been the theme of our Advent posts this week, and I’ve never found a translation that truly captures the astonishing exuberance of the thing. You want Paul to feel like he’s grabbing you by the shoulder, eyes alight, like he’s at once looking past you and staring into your soul: do you see it?

So I wrote a new translation of the passage. It’s not perfect—no translation is—but I hope it brings the words newly alive for you. Let this my blessing to you as we head into the last weekend before Christmas.

Philippians 4:4-8, trans. S. Klavan

Rejoice in the Lord at every moment. I will say it again: rejoice! Let everyone see how affable you are, how good-natured: the Lord is near. Let nothing worry at you, but in every prayer and petition, make your requests transparent and frank before God. Then the peace of God, surpassing all understanding, will keep your hearts and your thoughts secure in Christ Jesus. Beyond that, brothers, only this: every last true thing, every holy thing, everything just, pure, delightful, everything well-spoken of—any virtue or well-deserved praise you can find: meditate on these things.