Not that I have alreadyobtained[it] orhave alreadybecome perfect,but I presson sothat I may layholdof that for whichalsoI was laid holdof by ChristJesus.
"Nevertheless the righteouswill holdto his way,And he who has cleanhandswill growstrongerand stronger.
Ohthat my waysmay be establishedTo keepYour statutes!
The LORDwill accomplishwhatconcernsme; Your lovingkindness,O LORD,is everlasting;Do not forsakethe worksof Your hands.
As the deerpantsfor the waterbrooks,Somy soulpantsfor You, O God.
My soulclingsto You; Your righthandupholdsme.
My soullongedand evenyearnedfor the courtsof the LORD;My heartand my fleshsingfor joyto the livingGod.
For judgmentwill againbe righteous,And allthe uprightin heartwill followit.
But the pathof the righteousis like the lightof dawn,That shinesbrighterand brighteruntilthe fullday.
"Listento me, you who pursuerighteousness,Who seekthe LORD:Lookto the rockfrom which you were hewnAnd to the quarryfrom which you were dug.
"So let us know,let us presson to knowthe LORD.His goingforthis as certainas the dawn;And He will cometo us like the rain,Like the springrainwateringthe earth."
"Thereforeyou are to be perfect,as your heavenlyFatheris perfect.
But the Lordsaidto him, "Go,for he is a choseninstrumentof Mine,to bearMy namebeforethe Gentilesand kingsand the sonsof Israel;
norheight,nordepth,noranyothercreated thing,will be ableto separateus from the loveof God,which is in ChristJesusour Lord.
but whenthe perfectcomes,the partialwill be done away.
For nowwe seein a mirrordimly,but thenfaceto face;nowI knowin part,but thenI will knowfullyjustas I alsohave been fully known.
Do you not knowthat thosewho runin a raceallrun,but [only] onereceivesthe prize?Runin such a waythat you may win.
For we rejoicewhenwe ourselvesare weakbut you are strong;thiswe alsoprayfor, that you be made complete.
Therefore,havingthesepromises,beloved,let us cleanseourselvesfrom alldefilementof fleshand spirit,perfectingholinessin the fearof God.
For the fleshsets its desireagainstthe Spirit,and the Spiritagainstthe flesh;for theseare in oppositionto one another,sothat you may not dothe things that you please.
justas He choseus in Him beforethe foundationof the world,that we would be holyand blamelessbeforeHim. In love
for the equippingof the saintsfor the workof service,to the buildingup of the bodyof Christ;
Pauland Timothy,bond-servantsof ChristJesus,To allthe saintsin ChristJesuswho are in Philippi,includingthe overseersand deacons:
however,let us keep livingby that same[standard] to whichwe have attained.
for we are the [true] circumcision,who worshipin the Spiritof Godand gloryin ChristJesusand putnoconfidencein the flesh,
More thanthat, I countallthingsto be lossin viewof the surpassing valueof knowingChristJesusmy Lord,for whomI have suffered the lossof all things,and countthem but rubbishsothat I may gainChrist,
Seethat noonerepaysanotherwith evilfor evil,but alwaysseek afterthat which is goodfor one anotherand for all people.
But we shouldalwaysgive thanksto Godfor you, brethrenbelovedby the Lord,becauseGodhas chosenyou from the beginningfor salvationthroughsanctificationby the Spiritand faithin the truth.
having a reputationfor goodworks;[and] ifshe has brought up children,ifshe has shown hospitality to strangers,ifshe has washedthe saints'feet,ifshe has assistedthose in distress,[and] ifshe has devoted herselfto everygoodwork.
storingup for themselvesthe treasureof a goodfoundationfor the future,sothat they may take holdof that which is lifeindeed.
Pursuepeacewith all men,and the sanctificationwithoutwhichno onewill seethe Lord.
to the general assemblyand churchof the firstbornwho are enrolledin heaven,and to God,the Judgeof all,and to the spiritsof [the] righteousmade perfect,
equipyou in everygood thingto doHis will,workingin us that which is pleasingin His sight,throughJesusChrist,to whom[be] the gloryforeverand ever.Amen.
For we allstumblein many[ways]. Ifanyonedoes not stumblein what he says,he is a perfectman,ableto bridlethe wholebodyas well.
After you have sufferedfor a little while,the Godof allgrace,who calledyou to His eternalgloryin Christ,will Himselfperfect,confirm,strengthen[and] establishyou.
but growin the graceand knowledgeof our Lordand SaviorJesusChrist.To Him [be] the glory,bothnowand to the dayof eternity.Amen.
