1HENCEFORTH, my brethren, rejoice in our LORD. It does not bother me to write the same things to you, because they enlighten you.

2Beware of backbiters, beware of evil workers, beware of circumcising. 3For we are the true people of circumcision, who worship God in Spirit, and glory in Jesus Christ, and yet do not rely on things of the flesh. 4As for me, I once relied on things of the flesh. However, if a man thinks his hope is on things of the flesh, I have more hope than he has; 5Because I was circumcised when I was eight days old, being an Israelite by race, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew son of Hebrews, and according to the law a Pharisee; 6And because, concerning zeal, I was a persecutor of the church; and according to the standards of righteousness of the law, I was blameless.

7But these things which once were a gain to me, I counted a loss for the sake of Christ. 8And I still count them all a loss, for the sake of abundant knowledge of Jesus Christ my LORD: for whom I have lost everything, and I have considered all those things as refuse, so that I may increase in Christ 9And be found in him, since I have no righteousness of my own gained from the law, but the righteousness which comes through the faith of Christ; that is, the righteousness which comes from God: 10So that through this righteousness I may know Jesus and the power of his resurrection, and be a partaker of his sufferings, even to a death like his; 11That I may by any means attain the resurrection from the dead.

12Not as though I had already attained or were already perfect; but I am striving, that I may reach that for which Jesus Christ appointed me. 13My brethren, I do not consider that I have reached the goal; but this one thing I do know, forgetting those things which are behind me, I strive for those things which are before me, 14I press toward the goal to receive the prize of victory of God’s highest calling through Jesus Christ. 15Therefore let those of you who are perfect think these things over; and if you reason in any other way, God will reveal even that to you. 16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same path and with one accord.

17My brethren, be followers like me, and observe those who walk such a path, and then you will be examples as we are. 18For there are many who live otherwise, of whom I have often told you, and now I tell you with tears that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ; 19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame; whose thought is on earthly things. 20But our labours are in heavenly things, from whence we look for our Saviour, our LORD Jesus Christ, 21Who shall transform our poor body, to the likeness of his glorious body, according to his mighty power, whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.