⁴ though I myself have reasons for such confidence.^(A)

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

⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss^(I) for the sake of Christ.

¹⁰ I want to know^(A) Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,^(B) becoming like him in his death,^{(C) 11} and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection^(D) from the dead.

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,^(E) but I press on to take hold^(F) of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.^{(G) 13} Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind^(H) and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on^(I) toward the goal to win the prize^(J) for which God has called^(K) me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Following Paul’s Example

¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature^(L) should take such a view of things.^(M) And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.^{(N) 16} Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

¹⁷ Join together in following my example,^(O) brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.^(P)