Add parallel Print Page Options

17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters,[a] stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.

Footnotes

  1. 4:1 Greek brothers; also in 4:8.

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

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!