¹³ Brethren, I could not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing `I do', forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,

⁶² But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

¹ Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of `our' faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

¹ Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

¹² Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.

⁸ Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ,

²⁴ Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain.

²⁵ And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they `do it' to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

²⁶ I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air:

²⁷ but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

¹² So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

⁴ One thing have I asked of Jehovah, that will I seek after; That I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of Jehovah, And to inquire in his temple.

¹⁶ Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know `him so' no more.

¹⁸ What then? only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and therein I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

¹⁹ For I know that this shall turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but `that' with all boldness, as always, `so' now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.

²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

⁴² but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

¹⁰ Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; Forget also thine own people, and thy father's house:

²³ but now, having no more any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come unto you,

²⁴ whensoever I go unto Spain (for I hope to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first in some measure I shall have been satisfied with your company)--

²⁵ but now, I `say', I go unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the saints.

²⁶ For it hath been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints that are at Jerusalem.

²⁷ Yea, it hath been their good pleasure; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it `to them' also to minister unto them in carnal things.

²⁸ When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by you unto Spain.

²⁹ And I know that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ.

¹¹ Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.

¹² I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want.

¹³ I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.

⁸ But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.