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Imitate Paul

17 Brothers and sisters, become imitators of me and watch those who live this way—you can use us as models. 18 As I have told you many times and now say with deep sadness, many people live as enemies of the cross. 19 Their lives end with destruction. Their god is their stomach, and they take pride in their disgrace because their thoughts focus on earthly things. 20 Our citizenship is in heaven. We look forward to a savior that comes from there—the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform our humble bodies so that they are like his glorious body, by the power that also makes him able to subject all things to himself.

Stand firm in the Lord

Therefore, my brothers and sisters whom I love and miss, who are my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord.

Loved ones,

17 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.(A) 18 For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears.(B) 19 Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things.(C) 20 But our citizenship[a] is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humiliation[b] that it may be conformed to the body of his glory,[c] by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.(D) Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

Footnotes

  1. 3.20 Or commonwealth
  2. 3.21 Or our humble bodies
  3. 3.21 Or his glorious body