4. although I could. Others may boast about themselves, but I have more reason to boast than anyone else.
5. I was circumcised when I was eight days old, and I am from the nation of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. I am a true Hebrew. As a Pharisee, I strictly obeyed the Law of Moses.
6. And I was so eager that I even made trouble for the church. I did everything the Law demands in order to please God.
7. But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless.
8. Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as rubbish. All I want is Christ
9. and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ.
10. All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did,