Philippians 3

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