⁵ And if a man takes part in a competition he does not get the crown if he has not kept the rules.

¹² There is a blessing on the man who undergoes testing; because, if he has God's approval, he will be given the crown of life, which the Lord has said he will give to those who have love for him.

²⁴ Do you not see that in a running competition all take part, but only one gets the reward? So let your minds be fixed on the reward.

²⁵ And every man who takes part in the sports has self-control in all things. Now they do it to get a crown which is of this world, but we for an eternal crown.

²⁶ So then I am running, not uncertainly; so I am fighting, not as one who gives blows in the air:

²⁷ But I give blows to my body, and keep it under control, for fear that, after having given the good news to others, I myself might not have God's approval.

¹⁰ The four and twenty rulers go down on their faces before him who is seated on the high seat, and give worship to him who is living for ever and ever, and take off their crowns before the high seat, saying,

¹¹ I come quickly: keep that which you have, so that no one may take your crown.

¹⁰ Have no fear of the things which you will have to undergo: see, the Evil One will send some of you into prison, so that you may be put to the test; and you will have great trouble for ten days. Be true till death, and I will give you the crown of life.

⁴ And at the coming of the chief Keeper of the sheep, you will be given the eternal crown of glory.

⁴ Till now you have not given your blood in your fight against sin:

⁹ But we see him who was made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus, crowned with glory and honour, because he let himself be put to death so that by the grace of God he might undergo death for all men.

⁷ You made him a little lower than the angels; you gave him a crown of glory and honour, and made him ruler over all the works of your hands:

⁷ I have made a good fight, I have come to the end of my journey, I have kept the faith:

⁸ From now on, the crown of righteousness is made ready for me, which the Lord, the upright judge, Will give to me at that day: and not only to me, but to all those who have had love for his revelation.

²⁹ And for this purpose I am working, using all my strength by the help of his power which is working in me strongly.

¹⁵ Though some are preaching Christ out of envy and competition, others do it out of a good heart:

²⁴ Do your best to go in by the narrow door, for I say to you, A number will make the attempt to go in, but will not be able to do so.