13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind(A) and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on(B) toward the goal to win the prize(C) for which God has called(D) me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Read full chapter

22 In my alarm(A) I said,
    “I am cut off(B) from your sight!”
Yet you heard my cry(C) for mercy
    when I called to you for help.

Read full chapter

“Will the Lord reject forever?(A)
    Will he never show his favor(B) again?
Has his unfailing love(C) vanished forever?
    Has his promise(D) failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?(E)
    Has he in anger withheld his compassion?(F)

Read full chapter

Strengthen the feeble hands,
    steady the knees(A) that give way;
say(B) to those with fearful hearts,(C)
    “Be strong, do not fear;(D)
your God will come,(E)
    he will come with vengeance;(F)
with divine retribution
    he will come to save(G) you.”

Read full chapter

22 You will be hated by everyone because of me,(A) but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.(B)

Read full chapter

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.(A) He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice(B) against my adversary.’

“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”(C)

And the Lord(D) said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out(E) to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man(F) comes,(G) will he find faith on the earth?”

Read full chapter

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor(A) and immortality,(B) he will give eternal life.(C)

Read full chapter

24 For in this hope we were saved.(A) But hope that is seen is no hope at all.(B) Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.(C)

Read full chapter

The Need for Self-Discipline

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?(A) Run(B) in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown(C) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.(D)

Read full chapter

14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle(A) and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,(B) be patient with everyone.

Read full chapter

36 You need to persevere(A) so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.(B)

Read full chapter

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run(A) with perseverance(B) the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,(C) the pioneer(D) and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,(E) scorning its shame,(F) and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.(G) Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary(H) and lose heart.

Read full chapter

11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace(A) for those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.(B) 13 “Make level paths for your feet,”[a](C) so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.(D)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 12:13 Prov. 4:26

Trials and Temptations

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,(A) because you know that the testing of your faith(B) produces perseverance.(C)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. James 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 16 and 19; and in 2:1, 5, 14; 3:10, 12; 4:11; 5:7, 9, 10, 12, 19.

Trials and Temptations

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,(A) because you know that the testing of your faith(B) produces perseverance.(C)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. James 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 16 and 19; and in 2:1, 5, 14; 3:10, 12; 4:11; 5:7, 9, 10, 12, 19.

Bible Gateway Recommends