¹⁸ Observe ^(A)Israel ^(B)after the flesh: ^(C)Are not those who eat of the sacrifices ^[a]partakers of the altar?

³ For we are ^(A)the circumcision, ^(B)who worship ^[a]God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, ⁴ though ^(C)I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I ^(D)more so: ⁵ circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, ^(E)of the tribe of Benjamin, ^(F)a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, ^(G)a Pharisee;

Blessing and a Plea

¹⁶ And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

^6 (A)Every male among the priests may eat it. It shall be eaten in a holy place. ^(B)It is most holy.

¹¹ and the priest shall burn them on the altar as ^(A)food, an offering made by fire to the Lord.

Brought Near by His Blood

¹¹ Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called ^(A)the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— ¹² that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

¹⁸ Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast. ¹⁹ For you put up with fools gladly, ^(A)since you yourselves are wise! ²⁰ For you put up with it ^(B)if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face. ²¹ To our shame ^(C)I say that we were too weak for that! But ^(D)in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also.

Suffering for Christ

²² Are they ^(E)Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.

^13 (A)Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the ^(B)temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar?

¹² and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father ^(A)Abraham had while still uncircumcised.