Concluding Admonitions. 1Finally, my brothers, rejoice* in the Lord. Writing the same things to you is no burden for me but is a safeguard for you.a
Against Legalistic Teachers. 2* Beware of the dogs! Beware of the evil-workers!b Beware of the mutilation!* 3For we are the circumcision,* we who worship through the Spirit of God, who boast in Christ Jesus and do not put our confidence in flesh,c 4although I myself have grounds for confidence even in the flesh.d
The World’s Hatred.* 18“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.n 19If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you.o 20Remember the word I spoke to you,* ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.p 21And they will do all these things to you on account of my name,* because they do not know the one who sent me.q 22If I had not come and spoken* to them, they would have no sin; but as it is they have no excuse for their sin.r 23Whoever hates me also hates my Father.s 24If I had not done works among them that no one else ever did, they would not have sin; but as it is, they have seen and hated both me and my Father.t 25But in order that the word written in their law* might be fulfilled, ‘They hated me without cause.’u