A reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians.

Be imitators of me, my sisters and brothers.  Take as your guide those who follow the example that we set.  Unfortunately, many go about in a way which shows them to be enemies of the cross of Christ.  I have often said this to you before; this time I say it with tears.  Such as these will end in disaster!  Their god is their belly and their glory is in their shame.  I am talking about those who are set upon the things of this world.  As you well know, we have our citizenship in heaven; it is from there that we eagerly await the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who will give a new form to this lowly body of ours and remake it according to the pattern of the glorified body, by the power of the dispensation of Christ.

For these reasons, my sisters and brothers, you whom I so love and long for, you who are my joy and my crown.  Continue, my dear ones, to stand firm in Jesus Christ.

The Word of God recorded in the letter of Paul to the Philippians.