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.