en_tn_lite_do_not_use/php/03/17.md

## Brothers, join me ##

Paul is expressing that he considers the Philippian believers as his brothers in Christ.

## imitate me ##

"do what I do" or "live as I live"

## watch closely ##

"look carefully at"

## those who are walking by our example ##

"those who already are living as I live" or "those who already are doing what I do"

## I have often told you ##

"I have told you many times"

## and tell you now with tears, ##

"and tell you now with great sadness"

## that many are living as enemies of the cross of Christ ##

Here, "the cross of Christ" refers to Christ's suffering and death. The enemies are those who say they believe in Jesus but are not willing to suffer or die like Jesus did. This can be translated as "that many people say they believe in Jesus, but the way they act shows they are actually against Jesus who was willing to suffer and die on a cross.  (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

## Their destiny is destruction ##

"Someday God will destroy them"

## their god is their belly ##

Here, the word "belly" refers to a person's desires for physical pleasure. This could be translated as "they desire food and other physical pleasures more than they desire to obey God."

## their glory is their shame ##

"they are proud of the things that should cause them shame"

## They are thinking about earthly things ##

Here "earthly" refers to everything that gives physical pleasure and does not honor God. This could be translated as "All they think about is what will please themselves rather than what will please God."