(Romans 3:21–31)
1
As to the rest, my brothers, rejoice in the LORD; indeed, [it] is not tiresome to me to write to you the same things, and for you [is] sure.
2
Look out for the dogs! Look out for the evil-workers! Look out for the mutilation!
3
For we are the circumcision, who are serving God by the Spirit, and glorying in Christ Jesus, and having no trust in flesh,
4
though I also have [cause of] trust in flesh. If any other one thinks to have trust in flesh, I more:
5
circumcision on the eighth day! Of the race of Israel! Of the tribe of Benjamin! A Hebrew of Hebrews! According to law—a Pharisee!
6
According to zeal—persecuting the Assembly! According to righteousness that is in law—becoming blameless!
7
But what things were gains to me, these I have counted loss, because of the Christ;
8
yes, indeed, and I count all things to be loss, because of the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, because of whom I suffered loss of all things, and count them to be refuse, that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him,
9
not having my righteousness, which [is] of law, but that which [is] through faith from Christ—the righteousness that is of God by faith,
10
to know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
11
if anyhow I may attain to the resurrection of the dead.
Pressing on toward the Goal
12
Not that I already obtained, or have already been perfected, but I pursue, if I also may lay hold of that for which I was also laid hold of by Christ Jesus;
13
brothers, I do not reckon myself to have laid hold [of it], but one thing [I do]—indeed forgetting the things behind, and stretching forth to the things before—
14
I pursue to the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15
As many, therefore, as [are] perfect—let us think this, and if [in] anything you think otherwise, this also will God reveal to you,
16
but to what we have attained—walk by the same rule, think the same thing;
Citizenship in Heaven
17
together become my followers, brothers, and observe those thus walking, according as you have us—a pattern;
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for many walk of whom I told you [about] many times—and now also weeping tell—[they are] the enemies of the Cross of the Christ,
19
whose end [is] destruction, whose god [is] the belly, and whose glory [is] in their shame, who are minding the things on earth.
20
For our citizenship is in the heavens, from where we also await a Savior—the Lord Jesus Christ—
21
who will transform the body of our humiliation to its becoming conformed to the body of His glory, according to the working of His power, even to subject all things to Himself.
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