The True Righteousness

3 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me, and it is reassuring for you. ² Watch out for dogs, watch out for evil workers, watch out for those who practice mutilation. ³ For we are the circumcision who worship God in the Spirit, and boast in Christ Jesus, and place no trust in the flesh, ⁴ though I also have confidence in the flesh.

If any other man thinks that he has reason to trust in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ I was circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, and a Hebrew of Hebrews; as concerning the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ concerning zeal, persecuting the church; and concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

⁷ But what things were gain to me, I have counted these things to be loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ Yes, certainly, I count everything as loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have forfeited the loss of all things and count them as rubbish that I may gain Christ, ⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ,^[a] the righteousness which is of God on the basis of faith, ¹⁰ to know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, ¹¹ if somehow I might make it to the resurrection of the dead.