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1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
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2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
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3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
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4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
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5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
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6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
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7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
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8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
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9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
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10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
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11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
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12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
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13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
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14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
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15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
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16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
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17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
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18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
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19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
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20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
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21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
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- 1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
- 2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;
- 3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,
- 4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:
- 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;
- 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.
- 7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
- 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
- 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
- 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
- 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
- 12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
- 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
- 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
- 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;
- 16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
- 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
- 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,
- 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.
- 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
- 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
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