12 Not as though I had already attained it, either were already perfect, but I follow after, if I may lay hold of that for which I have also been laid hold of by the Christ, Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not reckon to have laid hold of it yet, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and extending myself unto those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us, therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded; and if in anything ye are otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, in that unto which we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us have the same mind.
17 Brethren, be imitators of me and consider those who so walk, as ye have us for a pattern. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross {Gr. stauros – stake} of Christ; 19 whose end shall be perdition, whose God is their belly and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things). 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall transform our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is also able to subdue all things unto himself.
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.