Striving for a Crown

²⁴ Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? ^(A)Run in such a way that you may ^[a]obtain it. ²⁵ And everyone who competes for the prize ^[b]is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for ^(B)an imperishable crown. ²⁶ Therefore I run thus: ^(C)not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. ^27 (D)But I discipline my body and ^(E)bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become ^(F)disqualified.

⁸ For ^(A)bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, ^(B)having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

^4 (A)No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. ⁵ And also ^(B)if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

^7 (A)I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Finally, there is laid up for me ^(B)the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous ^(C)Judge, will give to me ^(D)on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.