Chapter 3
001
Finally, my sisters, rejoice in the Domina. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not tiresome, but for you it is safe.
002
Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision.
003
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;
004
though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other woman thinks that she has confidence in the flesh, I yet more:
005
circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
006
concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
007
However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.
008
Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Domina, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ
009
and be found in her, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
010
that I may know her, and the power of her resurrection, and the fellowship of her sufferings, becoming conformed to her death;
011
if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
012
Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
013
Sisters, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,
014
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
015
Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you.
016
Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. Let us be of the same mind.
017
Sisters, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.
018
For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ,
019
whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things.
020
For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Domina Jesus Christ;
021
who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of her glory, according to the working by which she is able even to subject all things to herself.