¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ^(A) that I did not run^(B) or labor in vain.^(C)

The Incarnation of the Word of Life

1 That which was from the beginning,^(A) which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes,^(B) which we have looked at and our hands have touched^(C)—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

¹⁴ as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.^(A)

²⁶ Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;^(A) I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.^(B)

⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him,^(A) “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.^(B)

⁶³ The Spirit gives life;^(A) the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit^[a] and life.

²³ For you have been born again,^(A) not of perishable seed, but of imperishable,^(B) through the living and enduring word of God.^(C)

¹² For the word of God^(A) is alive^(B) and active.^(C) Sharper than any double-edged sword,^(D) it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.^(E)

¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.^{(A) 16} Avoid godless chatter,^(B) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. ¹⁷ Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus^(C) and Philetus,