Book of Common Prayer

¹⁹ For though no man is my master, yet I have made myself a servant to all, so that I might win the more. ²⁰ To the Jews I became as a Jew, to win the Jews. To those who were under the law, I was as though under the law, to win those who were under the law. ²¹ To those who were without law, I became as though I were without law (when I was not without law as pertaining to God, but under a law as concerning Christ), to win those who were without law. ²² To the weak I became as weak, to win the weak. In all things I fashioned myself to all men, to save at least some. ²³ And this I do for the gospel’s sake, so that I may have my part in it.

²⁴ Do you not perceive that of those who run in a race, all run, yet but one receives the reward? So run that you may prevail. ²⁵ Athletes who compete discipline themselves in all things. And they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we to obtain an incorruptible crown. ²⁶ I therefore run accordingly: not as at an uncertain thing. I fight accordingly: not as one who beats the air, ²⁷ but I tame my body, and bring it into subjection, lest after I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

³¹ And he began to teach them how the Son of man must suffer many things, and would be reproved by the elders and by the high priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days arise again. ³² And he spoke this word plainly. But Peter took him aside and began to chide him. ³³ Then he turned around and looked on his disciples, and rebuked Peter, saying, Get behind me, Satan, for you savour not the things of God, but the things of men.

³⁴ And he called the people to him with his disciples also, and said to them, Whoever would follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever would save his life, will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my sake and the sake of the gospel, shall save it. ³⁶ What does it profit a man, if he should win all the world and lose his own soul? ³⁷ Or what can a person give to redeem his soul? ³⁸ Whosoever therefore is ashamed of me and of my words among this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

9 And he said to them, Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste of death till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.