These words are Paul's main thought for this verse.
# Many are walking
A person's behavior is spoken of as if that person were walking along a path. AT: "Many are living" or "Many are conducting their lives" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
# those about whom I have often told you, and now I am telling you with tears
Paul interrupts his main thought with these words that describe the "many." You can move them to the beginning or end of the verse if you need to.
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. AT: "in a way that shows they are actually against Jesus, who was willing to suffer and die on a cross" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
Here "stomach" refers to a person's desires for physical pleasure. Calling it their god means that they want these pleasures more than they want to obey God. AT: "they desire food and other physical pleasures more than they desire to obey God" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
Here "shame" stands for the actions that the people should be ashamed about but are not. AT: "they are proud of the things that should cause them shame" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
Here "earthly" refers to everything that gives physical pleasure and does not honor God. AT: "All they think about is what will please themselves rather than what will please God" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])