< Philippians 3 >
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me, indeed, is not irksome, and for you it is safe.
2 Beware of the snarlers, beware of evil workers, beware of the excision;
3 for we are the circumcision, who worship God in spirit, who glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
4 Though indeed, I have a ground of confidence in the flesh, if any other thinks he has a ground of confidence--I have more.
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; with respect to the law, a Pharisee;
6 with respect to zeal, persecuting the congregation; with respect to righteousness by law, I was blameless.
7 But the things which were gain to me, those I have counted loss for Christ.
8 Yes, indeed, on this account, also, I count all things loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord; (for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do account them mere refuse, that I may gain Christ,
9 and be found in him, not having my righteousness by law, but that which is through the faith of Christ--the righteousness which is from God on account of this faith)--
10 that I might know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death;
11 if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already laid hold, or have already become perfect; but I press on, that, indeed, I may lay hold on that, for which, also, I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have laid hold of the prize; but one thing I do, forgetting the things behind, and stretching forth toward the things before,
14 I press on toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God, by Christ Jesus.
15 Let us, then, as many as would be perfect, be thus minded; and if in anything you think differently, God will reveal even this to you.
16 Moreover, let us walk in conformity to what we have attained.
17 Brethren, be imitators of men, and consider attentively those who walk so, as you have us for an example.
18 (For I have often told you, and now tell you, even weeping, that many walk as the enemies of the cross of Christ;
19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetites, whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20 But we are citizens of heaven, whence, also, we earnestly expect the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 who will transform our humbled body into a like form with his glorious body, according to the energy of his power, even to subject all things to himself.
