⁵ I was circumcised eight days after my birth [Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3]. I am from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. I am a ·Hebrew, and my parents were Hebrews [or true Hebrew; Hebrew through and through; ^LHebrew of Hebrews]. With regard to the ·law of Moses [^Llaw], I was a Pharisee [^CPharisees strictly followed the OT law and expanded on it with many traditions]. ⁶ ·I was so enthusiastic [^LWith regard to (religious) zeal,] I persecuted the church. With regard to ·obedience to the law of Moses [^Lrighteousness based on the law] I was ·faultless [blameless]. ⁷ Those things were ·important [valuable; or assets] to me, but now I think they are ·worth nothing [or liabilities; ^La loss] because of Christ.