< Philippians 3 >
1 Finally, my brothers, continue to rejoice in the Lord. To write the same thing is not indeed wearisome to me, and it is safe for you.
2 Beware of "these dogs," these mischievous workers, beware of the concision!
3 For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, and make our boast in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in outward rites,
4 although I myself might have confidence in outward rites. If any one else claims a right to trust in them, far more may I;
5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew sprung from the Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;
6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which comes through law, blameless.
7 But what was once gain to me, that I have counted loss for Christ.
8 In very truth I count all things but loss compared to the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and esteem them but refuse that I may gain Christ,
9 and be found in him; not having my own righteousness of the Law, but that alone which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which comes from God, founded upon faith.
10 I long to know him in the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, by sharing the likeness of his death;
11 if by any means I might attain to the resurrection from the dead!
12 I do not say that I have already won, or am already perfect, but I am passing on to lay hold on the prize for which also Christ has laid hold of me.
13 Brothers, I do not regard myself to have yet laid hold of it; but this one thing I do, forgetting what is behind me, but straining every nerve toward that which lies ahead,
14 I am ever pressing on toward the goal, for the prize of God’s heavenward call in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us all then, who are mature Christians, strive for this! God will make this clear to any of you who are striving for other goals;
16 if only we guide our steps by the standards we have already attained.
17 Brothers, be comrades in imitating me, and study those whose life and walk is according to the pattern I have set you.
18 For there are many - as I used often to tell you, and am now telling you even with tears - who live and walk as the enemies of the cross of Christ.
19 Their end is destruction, their belly is their god, their glory is in their shame, and their minds are set on earthly things.
20 But commonwealth is in heaven; and it is from heaven also that we are anxiously awaiting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21 who will change the fashion of the body of our abasement into the likeness of his glorious body by the energy with which he is able even to subject all things to himself.
