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.

True and False Teachers

17 Join together in imitating me, brothers, and pay close attention to those who live by the example we have set for you.[a] 18 For I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of the Messiah.[b] 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on worldly things.

20 Our citizenship, however, is in heaven, and it is from there that we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus, the Messiah.[c] 21 He will change our unassuming bodies and make them like his glorious body through the power that enables him to bring everything under his authority.

Closing Exhortations

Therefore, my dear brothers whom I long for, my joy and my victor’s crown, this is how you must stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 3:17 Lit. the example you have in us
  2. Philippians 3:18 Or Christ
  3. Philippians 3:20 Or Christ