|
[1]HENCEFORTH, my brethren, rejoice in our LORD. It does not bother me to write the same things to you, because they enlighten you.
[2]Beware of backbiters, beware of evil workers, beware of circumcising.
[3]For 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.
[4]As 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;
[5]Because 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;
[6]And because, concerning zeal, I was a persecutor of the church; and according to the standards of righteousness of the law, I was blameless.
[7]But these things which once were a gain to me, I counted a loss for the sake of Christ.
[8]And 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
[9]And 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:
[10]So 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;
[11]That I may by any means attain the resurrection from the dead.
[12]Not 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.
[13]My 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,
[14]I press toward the goal to receive the prize of victory of God's highest calling through Jesus Christ.
[15]Therefore 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.
[16]Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same path and with one accord.
[17]My brethren, be followers like me, and observe those who walk such a path, and then you will be examples as we are.
[18]For 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;
[19]Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame; whose thought is on earthly things.
[20]But our labours are in heavenly things, from whence we look for our Saviour, our LORD Jesus Christ,
[21]Who 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.
|