3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is not irksome to me, and is safe for you.

3:2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evil-workers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

3:3 For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.

3:4 Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If any other man thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:

3:5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law a Pharisee,

3:6 as to zeal a persecutor of the church, as to righteousness under the law blameless.

3:7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

3:8 Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ

3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith;

3:10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

3:11 that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

3:13 Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.