New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
1Further, my brothers and sisters, 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 evildoers, 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 serve God by his Spirit, who boast 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 have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put 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; in regard 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 for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. | 6as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless. |
7But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. | 7But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. |
8What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, 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 a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes 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--yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like 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, attaining 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 arrived at my goal, 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 and sisters, 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 for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. | 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. |
15All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. | 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. |
16Only let us live up to what we have already attained. | 16Nevertheless, we must live up to what we have already attained. |
17Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. | 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 tell you 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 destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is 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 bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will 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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