1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.2Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.4Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.15Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.17Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
1Освен това, братя мои, радвайте се в Господа. За мене не е досадно да ви пиша все същото, а за вас е безопасно. (2Co 13:11; Php 4:4; 1Th 5:16)2Пазете се от псетата, пазете се от злите работници, пазете се от лъжеобрязването[1]; (Isa 56:10; Ro 2:28; 2Co 11:13; Ga 5:2; Ga 5:15)3защото ние сме обрязаните, които с Божия Дух се кланяме и се хвалим с Христос Исус, и не уповаваме на плътта. (De 10:16; De 30:6; Isa 56:10; Jer 4:4; Ro 2:29; Ro 4:11; Ro 4:12; 2Co 11:13; Ga 5:15; Col 2:11)4Макар че аз мога и на плътта да уповавам. Ако някой друг мисли, че може да уповава на плътта, то аз повече, (2Co 11:18; 2Co 11:21)5обрязан в осмия ден, от Израилевия род, от Вениаминовото племе, евреин от евреи, спрямо закона фарисей, (Ge 17:12; Ac 23:6; Ac 26:4; Ac 26:5; Ro 11:1; 2Co 11:22)6по ревност – гонител на църквата, по правдата, която е от закона – непорочен. (Lu 1:6; Ac 8:3; Ac 9:1; Ac 22:3; Ro 10:5; Ga 1:13; Ga 1:14)7Но това, което беше за мене придобивка, сметнах го като загуба заради Христос. (Mt 13:44)8А освен това всичко смятам като загуба заради това превъзходно нещо – познаването на моя Господ Христос Исус, за Когото изгубих всичко, и смятам всичко за измет, само Христос да придобия (Isa 53:11; Jer 9:23; Jer 9:24; Joh 17:3; Col 2:2)9и да се намеря в Него, без да имам за своя правда онази, която е от закона, а онази, която е чрез вяра в Христос, т. е. правдата, която е от Бога въз основа на вяра, (Ro 1:17; Ro 3:21; Ro 3:22; Ro 9:30; Ro 10:3; Ro 10:5; Ro 10:6; Ga 2:16; Heb 4:3)10за да позная Него, силата на Неговото възкресение и общението в Неговите страдания, като се уподобя на Него в смъртта Му, (Ro 6:3; Ro 8:17; 2Co 4:10; 2Co 4:11; 2Ti 2:11; 2Ti 2:12; 1Pe 4:13)11за да мога някак да достигна възкресението от мъртвите. (Ac 26:7)