1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. Indeed, for me to write the same things to you is not troublesome, but for you it is safe.

2Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3For we are the circumcision, who serve God in the spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and do not trust in the flesh; 4Though I might also have reason to trust in the flesh. If any other thinks he has cause to trust in the flesh, I have much more: 5Circumcised on the eighth day; of the race of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; with respect to law, a Pharisee; 6With respect to zeal, persecuting the church; with respect to righteousness that is in law, blameless.

7Yet the things that were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8But then truly, I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as dung; that I may gain Christ 9And may be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is derived from law, but that righteousness which is by the faith of Christ--the righteousness of God that is based on faith; 10That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11If by any means I may attain unto the resurrection of the dead;

12Not as though I have already received, or have already been perfected; but I am striving, so that I may also lay hold on that for which I also was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, I do not count myself as having attained; but this one thing I do-- forgetting the things that are behind, and reaching forth to the things that are ahead, 14I press toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15So then, let as many as be perfect be of this mind. And if in anything you are otherwise minded, God will reveal even this to you. 16Nevertheless, in regard to that which we have attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

17Brethren, be imitators together of me, and bear in mind those who walk in this way, as you have us for an example. 18(For many walk contrary; I have often told you of them, and I tell you now with weeping, 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; for they mind earthly things. ) 20But for us, the commonwealth of God exists in the heavens, from where also we are waiting for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21Who will transform our vile bodies, that they may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the inner working of His own power, whereby He is able to subdue all things to Himself.