Philippians 3:12–4:1

¹²Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,^l but I press on to take hold^m of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.^{n 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^o and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on^p toward the goal to win the prize^q for which God has called^r me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Following Paul’s Example

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

¹⁷Join together in following my example,^v brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.^{w 18}For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears,^x many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.^{y 19}Their destiny^z is destruction, their god is their stomach,^a and their glory is in their shame.^b Their mind is set on earthly things.^{c 20}But our citizenship^d is in heaven.^e And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,^{f 21}who, by the power^g that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies^h so that they will be like his glorious body.ⁱ

Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity

4Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for,^j my joy and crown, stand firm^k in the Lord in this way, dear friends!