²³ Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.^{(A) 24} For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.^{(B) 25} What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? ²⁶ Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them^(C) when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.^(D)

²⁷ “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

¹⁹ for I know that through your prayers^(A) and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ^(B) what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.^{[a](C) 20} I eagerly expect^(D) and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage^(E) so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body,^(F) whether by life or by death.^{(G) 21} For to me, to live is Christ^(H) and to die is gain. ²² If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³ I am torn between the two: I desire to depart^(I) and be with Christ,^(J) which is better by far; ²⁴ but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

³⁹ These were all commended^(A) for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised,^(B)

⁴⁰ since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us^(A) would they be made perfect.^(B)