17 Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross(A) of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory(B) is in their shame; and they are focused on earthly things. 20 Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious(C) body,(D) by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself.

So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown,(E) in this manner stand firm(F) in the Lord, dear friends.

17 Become fellow imitators of me, brothers, and observe those who walk in this way, just as you have us as an example. 18 For many live, of whom I spoke about to you many times, but now speak about even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose God is the stomach, and whose glory is in their shame, the ones who think on earthly things. 20 For our commonwealth exists in heaven, from which also we eagerly await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our humble body to be conformed to his glorious body, in accordance with the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Appeal for Unity

So then, my beloved and greatly desired brothers, my joy and crown, thus stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.

17 Join together in following my example,(A) brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.(B) 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears,(C) many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.(D) 19 Their destiny(E) is destruction, their god is their stomach,(F) and their glory is in their shame.(G) Their mind is set on earthly things.(H) 20 But our citizenship(I) is in heaven.(J) And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,(K) 21 who, by the power(L) that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies(M) so that they will be like his glorious body.(N)

Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for,(O) my joy and crown, stand firm(P) in the Lord in this way, dear friends!