²⁴ Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race,^(A) but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.^{(B) 25} Now everyone who competes exercises self-control^(C) in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown^(D) that will fade away,^(E) but we a crown that will never fade away. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. ²⁷ Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.^(F)

Reaching Forward to God’s Goal

¹² Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold^(A) of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brothers, I do not^[a] consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind^(B) and reaching forward to what is ahead, ¹⁴ I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly^[b] call in Christ Jesus.^(C)