Berean Study Bible | Berean Study Bible |
1Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. | 1Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. |
2Watch out for those dogs, those workers of evil, those mutilators of the flesh! | 2Watch out for those dogs, those workers of evil, those mutilators of the flesh! |
3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— | 3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— |
4though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: | 4though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: |
5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; | 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; |
6as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless. | 6as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless. |
7But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. | 7But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. |
8More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ | 8More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ |
9and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith. | 9and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith. |
10I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death, | 10I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death, |
11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. | 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. |
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. | 12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. |
13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, | 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, |
14I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. | 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. |
15All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well. | 15All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well. |
16Nevertheless, we must live up to what we have already attained. | 16Nevertheless, we must live up to what we have already attained. |
17Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you. | 17Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you. |
18For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. | 18For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. |
19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things. | 19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things. |
20But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, | 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, |
21who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body. | 21who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body. |
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