1Finally, my brothers, continue to rejoice in the Lord. To write the same thing is not indeed wearisome to me, and it is safe for you. 2Beware of "these dogs," these mischievous workers, beware of the concision! 3For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, and make our boast in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in outward rites,¶ 4although I myself might have confidence in outward rites. If any one else claims a right to trust in them, far more may I; 5circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew sprung from the Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which comes through law, blameless. 7But what was once gain to me, that I have counted loss for Christ. 8In very truth I count all things but loss compared to the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and esteem them but refuse that I may gain Christ,¶ 9and be found in him; not having my own righteousness of the Law, but that alone which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which comes from God, founded upon faith. 10I long to know him in the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, by sharing the likeness of his death; 11if by any means I might attain to the resurrection from the dead! 12I do not say that I have already won, or am already perfect, but I am passing on to lay hold on the prize for which also Christ has laid hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not regard myself to have yet laid hold of it; but this one thing I do, forgetting what is behind me, but straining every nerve toward that which lies ahead, 14I am ever pressing on toward the goal, for the prize of God’s heavenward call in Christ Jesus.¶ 15Let us all then, who are mature Christians, strive for this! God will make this clear to any of you who are striving for other goals; 16if only we guide our steps by the standards we have already attained.¶ 17Brothers, be comrades in imitating me, and study those whose life and walk is according to the pattern I have set you. 18For there are many - as I used often to tell you, and am now telling you even with tears - who live and walk as the enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their end is destruction, their belly is their god, their glory is in their shame, and their minds are set on earthly things. 20But commonwealth is in heaven; and it is from heaven also that we are anxiously awaiting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will change the fashion of the body of our abasement into the likeness of his glorious body by the energy with which he is able even to subject all things to himself.¶