holding fastthe wordof life,sothat in the dayof ChristI will have reason to glorybecauseI did not runin vainnortoilin vain.
ThereforeI runin sucha way,as not without aim;I boxin such a way,as not beatingthe air;
It was becauseof a revelationthat I wentup; and I submittedto them the gospelwhichI preachamongthe Gentiles,but [I did so] in privateto thosewho were of reputation,for fearthat I might be running,orhad run,in vain.
Whatwas from the beginning,whatwe have heard,whatwe have seenwith our eyes,whatwe have lookedat and touchedwith our hands,concerningthe Wordof Life--
justas you alsopartiallydid understandus, that we are your reason to be proudas you alsoare ours,in the dayof our LordJesus.
SimonPeteransweredHim, "Lord,to whomshall we go?You havewordsof eternallife.
For thisreason,when I could endure[it] no longer,I alsosentto findout about your faith,for fearthat the temptermight have temptedyou, and our laborwould be in vain.
"It is the Spiritwho gives life;the fleshprofitsnothing;the wordsthat I have spokento you are spiritand are life.
"And I sayto you, everyonewhoconfessesMe beforemen,the Sonof Manwill confesshim alsobeforethe angelsof God;
For the wordof Godis livingand activeand sharperthananytwo-edgedsword,and piercingas faras the divisionof souland spirit,of bothjointsand marrow,and able to judgethe thoughtsand intentionsof the heart.
for you have been born againnot of seedwhich is perishablebut imperishable,[that is], throughthe livingand enduringwordof God.
For whois our hopeorjoyorcrownof exultation?Is it not evenyou, in the presenceof our LordJesusat His coming?
I fearfor you, that perhapsI have laboredoveryou in vain.
But I said,"I have toiledin vain,I have spentMy strengthfor nothingand vanity;Yet surelythe justice[due] to Me is with the LORD,And My rewardwith My God."
O God,You have taughtme from my youth,And I stilldeclareYour wondrousdeeds.
The Spiritand the bridesay,"Come."And let the one who hearssay,"Come."And let the one who is thirstycome;let the one who wishestakethe waterof lifewithout cost.
"Brethren,sonsof Abraham'sfamily,and thoseamongyou who fearGod,to us the messageof thissalvationhas been sent.
"WhatI tellyou in the darkness,speakin the light;and whatyou hear[whispered] in [your] ear,proclaimupon the housetops.
I have proclaimedgladtidingsof righteousnessin the greatcongregation;Behold,I will not restrainmy lips,O LORD,You know.
whowill alsoconfirmyou to the end,blamelessin the dayof our LordJesusChrist.
[For I am] confidentof thisvery thing,that He who begana goodworkin you will perfectit untilthe dayof ChristJesus.
sothat you may approvethe things that are excellent,in orderto be sincereand blamelessuntilthe dayof Christ;