¹⁶ holding forth the word of life so that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.^(A)

²⁶ So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air,

² I went up in response to a revelation. Then I laid before them (though only in a private meeting with the acknowledged leaders) the gospel that I proclaim among the gentiles, in order to make sure that I was not running, or had not run, in vain.^(A)

The Word of Life

1 We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life^(A)—

⁵ For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith; I was afraid that somehow the tempter had tempted you and that our labor had been in vain.^(A)

¹⁴ as you have already understood us in part—that on the day of the Lord Jesus we are your boast even as you are our boast.^(A)

⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.

²³ You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.^[a](A)

¹² Indeed, the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.^(A)

¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. ¹⁶ Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people^[a] into more and more impiety,^{(A) 17} and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,^(B)