4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. ^xIf anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the ^yeighth day, ^zof the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a ^aHebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a ^bPharisee; 6 as to ^czeal, a ^dpersecutor of the church; as to ^erighteousness under the law,¹ blameless. 7 But whatever ^fgain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, ^gI count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. ^hFor his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ