² Watch out for those dogs,^(A) those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. ³ For it is we who are the circumcision,^(B) we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus,^(C) and who put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though I myself have reasons for such confidence.^(D)

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised^(E) on the eighth day, of the people of Israel,^(F) of the tribe of Benjamin,^(G) a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;^{(H) 6} as for zeal,^(I) persecuting the church;^(J) as for righteousness based on the law,^(K) faultless.

⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss^(L) for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing^(M) Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ^{(N) 9} and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,^(O) but that which is through faith in^[a] Christ—the righteousness^(P) that comes from God on the basis of faith.^{(Q) 10} I want to know^(R) Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,^(S) becoming like him in his death,^{(T) 11} and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection^(U) from the dead.

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,^(V) but I press on to take hold^(W) of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.^(X)