¶ Moreover brethren mine, rejoice in the Lord. It grieveth me not to write the very same things unto you. For to you it is a sure thing. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers. Beware of dissension: For we are circumcision which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Iesu, and have no confidence in the flesh: though I have whereof I might rejoice in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh: much more I: circumcised the eighth day, of the kindred of Israhell, of the tribe of Benjamin an Hebrew born of the Hebrews: as concerning the law, a pharise, and as concerning ferventness I persecuted the congregation, and as touching the righteousness which is in the law I was such a one as no man could complain on.
¶ But the things that were winning unto me I counted loss for Christe's sake. Yea I think all things but loss for that excellent knowledge's sake of Christ Iesu my Lord. For whom I have counted all thing loss, and do judge them but dung, that I might win Christ, and might be found in him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law: But that which springeth of the faith which is in Christ. I mean the righteousness which cometh of God throwe faith in knowing him, and the virtue of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his passions, that I might be conformable unto his death, if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection from death.
¶ Not as though I had all ready received it, either were all ready perfect: but I follow, if that I may comprehend that, wherein I am comprehended of Christ Iesu. Brethren I count not myself that I have gotten it: but one thing I say: I forget that which is behind me, and stretch myself unto that which is before me and press unto that mark appointed, to obtain the reward of the high calling of God in Christ Iesu. Let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus wise minded: and if ye be other wise minded, I pray God open even this unto you. Nevertheless in that whereunto we are come, let us proceed by one rule, that we may be of one accord.
¶ Brethren be followers of me, and look on them which walk even so, as ye have us for an ensample. For many walk (of whom I have told you often, and now tell you weeping) that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is damnation, whose God is their belly and glory to their shame, which are worldly minded. But our conversation is in heaven, from whence we look for the saviour Iesus Christ, which shall change into another fashion our vile bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself.
© Faith of God
William Tyndale 1526