MOREOVER, brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to
you, to me indeed is not irksome, but is safe for you. (2)Beware of
dogs, beware of the malicious labourers, beware of the concision.
(3)For we are the circumcision, who serve God in spirit, and glory in
Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh. (4)Though I too might
have confidence in the flesh; if any other man thinks that he may have
confidence in the flesh, I may claim more: (5)circumcised the eighth
day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of
Hebrews; (6)respecting the law, a Pharisee; with regard to zeal,
persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness which is by the
law, blameless. (7)But what things were gain to me, these have I
counted loss for Christ. (8)Yea doubtless, and I count all things but
loss for the transcendently excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ my
Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them
but as offals of ordure, that I may gain Christ, (9)and be found in
him, not having mine own righteousness, which is by the law, but that
which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is of God by
faith: (10)that I may know him, and the virtue of his resurrection, and
communion with his sufferings, being conformed to his death; (11)if
haply I may attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (12)Not that I
have already attained, or am now perfect: but I pursue, that I may
overtake that for which also by his apprehension of me I am destined by
Christ Jesus.
(13)Brethren, I count not myself to have overtaken it; but this one
object I pursue, forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching
out to those which are before, (14)I press towards the mark for the
prize of the divine calling from on high in Christ Jesus.
(15)Let as many of us therefore as are perfect, be thus minded: and if
ye entertain any other sentiment, God also will unveil this unto you.
(16)Nevertheless, so far as we have advanced, be it our care to walk by
the same rule, to mind the same thing.
(17)Be ye imitators, brethren, of me, and eye attentively those who
walk so as ye have us for an example. (18)For many walk, whom I have
often mentioned to you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are
the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19)whose end is perdition, whose
God is their belly, and their glory in their shame, whose minds are
occupied with earthly things. (20)But our conversation is in heaven as
its citizens, from whence also we are expecting the Saviour, the Lord
Jesus Christ, (21)who shall transform our body of humiliation, that it
may be conformed to his body of glory, according to the effectual
working of him who is able to subdue even all things to himself.