1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Expanded Bible

²⁴ ·You [^LDon’t you…?] know that in a ·race [^Lstadium] all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. So run to win! ²⁵ All those who compete in the games ·use self-control [train with strict discipline] so they can win a ·crown [victor’s wreath]. That ·crown [victor’s wreath] is ·an earthly thing that lasts only a short time [^Lperishable], but our crown ·will never be destroyed [^Lis imperishable]. ²⁶ So I do not run ·without a goal [aimlessly]. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something—not just the air. ²⁷ I ·treat my body hard [discipline/subdue/pummel my body] and ·make it my slave [subdue it] so that I myself will not be disqualified after I have preached to others.