1 So then, a3:1 Or Furthermore my brothers, keep on rejoicing in the Lord. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you; indeed, it is for your safety. ISV — Philippians 3:1
2 Beware of the dogs! Beware of the evil workers! Beware of the mutilators! b3:2 Lit. the mutilation; Lit. katatome (a cutting off) ISV — Philippians 3:2
3 For it is we who are the circumcision c3:3 Lit. peritome (a cutting around) —we who worship in the Spirit of God d3:3 Other mss. read worship God in the Spirit and find our joy in the Messiah e3:3 Or Christ Jesus. We have not placed any confidence in the flesh, ISV — Philippians 3:3
4 although I could have confidence in the flesh. If anyone thinks he can place confidence in the flesh, I have more reason to think so. f3:4 Lit. I more ISV — Philippians 3:4
5 Having been circumcised on the eighth day, I am of the nation of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. As far as the Law is concerned, I was a Pharisee. ISV — Philippians 3:5
6 As for my zeal, I was a persecutor of the church. As far as righteousness in the Law is concerned, I was blameless. ISV — Philippians 3:6
7 But whatever things were assets to me, these I now consider a loss for the sake of the Messiah. g3:7 Or Christ ISV — Philippians 3:7
8 What is more, I continue to consider all these things to be a loss for the sake of what is far more valuable, knowing the Messiah h3:8 Or Christ Jesus, my Lord. It is because of him that I have experienced the loss of all those things. Indeed, I consider them rubbish i3:8 Or dung in order to gain the Messiah j3:8 Or Christ ISV — Philippians 3:8
9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but one that comes through the faithfulness k3:9 Or through faith in of the Messiah, l3:9 Or Christ the righteousness that comes from God and that depends on faith. ISV — Philippians 3:9
10 I want to know the Messiah m3:10 Lit. To know him —what his resurrection power is like and what it means to share in his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, ISV — Philippians 3:10
11 though I hope to experience the resurrection from the dead. ISV — Philippians 3:11
12 It’s not that I have already reached this goal or have already become perfect. But I keep pursuing it, hoping somehow to embrace it just as I have been embraced by the Messiah n3:12 Or Christ Jesus. ISV — Philippians 3:12
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself to have embraced it yet. o3:13 Other mss. omit yet But this one thing I do: Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ISV — Philippians 3:13
14 I keep pursuing the goal to win the prize p3:14 Lit. the goal for the prize of God’s heavenly call in the Messiah q3:14 Or Christ Jesus. ISV — Philippians 3:14
15 Therefore, those of us who are mature r3:15 Or perfect should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will show you how to think. s3:15 Lit. show you this ISV — Philippians 3:15
16 However, we should live up to what we have achieved so far. ISV — Philippians 3:16
17 Join together in imitating me, brothers, and pay close attention to those who live by the example we have set for you. t3:17 Lit. the example you have in us ISV — Philippians 3:17
18 For I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of the Messiah. u3:18 Or Christ ISV — Philippians 3:18
19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on worldly things. ISV — Philippians 3:19
20 Our citizenship, however, is in heaven, and it is from there that we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus, the Messiah. v3:20 Or Christ ISV — Philippians 3:20
21 He will change our unassuming bodies and make them like his glorious body through the power that enables him to bring everything under his authority. ISV — Philippians 3:21