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Philippians 3:1-3
1 Therefore, my dear friends, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write these same things to you, and it gives you security.
2 Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, and watch out for the mutilation! 3 For we who worship in the Spirit of God and take our pride in Christ Jesus are the true circumcision and we place no confidence in the circumcision of the flesh.
Philippians 3:4-11
4 Look, I have every good reason to trust in the flesh, and if anyone else thinks they have any other good reasons for this confidence, I have yet more: 5 I was circumcised on the eighth day, one of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; in respect of the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, one who persecuted the church; as to righteousness based on the law, faultless. 7 Yet whatever benefits I had, I now consider them lost because of Christ.
8 More than that, I even consider everything as lost compared to the supreme value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have lost all things for his sake, and I regard them as rubbish, so that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God and is based on faith.
10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and to share in his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11 if by some means I may obtain the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:12-16
12 Not that I have already grasped or achieved this; but I pursue it in order to reach it for myself, as Christ Jesus has taken hold of me. 13 Friends, I do not think I have achieved this for myself; but I certainly do this: forgetting what is behind and straining forward to what is ahead, 14 I keep pressing on toward the goal of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 All of us who are mature should bear this in mind; and if you think otherwise, God will reveal this to you. 16 Only let us live in a way that is consistent with our claims.
Philippians 3:17-21
17 Friends, join together in following my example, and set your standards by those who live according to the pattern you have seen in me. 18 For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have frequently told you of them, and now do so with tears. 19 Since they are preoccupied with earthly things, their end is destruction; their god is the stomach; and their glory is in their shame.
20 However, our citizenship is found in heaven, and it is from there that we eagerly await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 By means of his power through which everything comes under His authority, He will transform our degraded body and make it the same as His glorious Body.
Philippians 4:1-7
1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and greatly miss, my joy and crown; my dear friends, do stand firm in the Lord like this.
2 I plead with Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I also ask you, loyal Sydsygus, to help them, for they have worked hard alongside me in the work of the Gospel, as well as Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again, Rejoice. 5 Let your considerate nature be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Be worried about nothing, but in everything, make your requests known to God through prayer and petition with thanksgiving.
7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:8-14
8 To finish with, my friends, set your minds on what is true, honourable, just, pure, lovely and commendable; by which I mean anything of excellence and worthy of praise. 9 Make it your business to the things you have learned, received, heard and seen from my example, and the God of peace will be with you.
10 I rejoice in the Lord greatly that you have now renewed your concern for me, finally being able to show this after previously having no chance. 11 I do not say this because of my need; for I have learned to live within the limits of whatever state I find myself. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In each and every situation I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of living with plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things through the One who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, it was good of you to share in my distress.
Philippians 4:15-23
15 Now, dear Philippians, you do indeed know that in the early days of the Gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, no church has shared any account with me of gift and receipt, except you alone. 16 For in Thessalonica, you gave help for my needs more than once. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but prefer the fruit which increases in your account. 18 I have been fully paid; more than enough. I am well supplied now that I have received the gifts you sent through Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, a sacrifice which is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 May my God meet completely every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21 Give my greetings to every saint in Christ Jesus. The friends who are with me greet you, 22 and all the saints greet you, especially those of the emperor's household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
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