4. although I might be able to put trust in myself. If anyone thinks he has a reason to trust in himself, he should know that I have greater reason for trusting in myself.
5. I was circumcised eight days after my birth. I am from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. I am a Hebrew, and my parents were Hebrews. I had a strict view of the law, which is why I became a Pharisee.
6. I was so enthusiastic I tried to hurt the church. No one could find fault with the way I obeyed the law of Moses.
7. Those things were important to me, but now I think they are worth nothing because of Christ.
8. Not only those things, but I think that all things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him, I have lost all those things, and now I know they are worthless trash. This allows me to have Christ
9. and to belong to him. Now I am right with God, not because I followed the law, but because I believed in Christ. God uses my faith to make me right with him.
10. I want to know Christ and the power that raised him from the dead. I want to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death.