6:12 Those who want to make a good showing in external matters ¹  are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do so ²  only to avoid being persecuted ³  for the cross of Christ. 6:13 For those who are circumcised do not obey the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your flesh. ⁴  6:14 But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which ⁵  the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.