3:1 Finally, my brothers and sisters, ¹  rejoice in the Lord! To write this again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

3:2 Beware of the dogs, ²  beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh! ³  3:3 For we are the circumcision, ⁴  the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, ⁵  exult in Christ Jesus, and do not rely on human credentials ⁶  3:4 – though mine too are significant. ⁷  If someone thinks he has good reasons to put confidence in human credentials, ⁸  I have more: 3:5 I was circumcised on the eighth day, from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. I lived according to the law as a Pharisee. ⁹  3:6 In my zeal for God I persecuted the church. According to the righteousness stipulated in the law I was blameless.