I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to the intelligent, nor yet favour to men of knowledge; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

If thou hast run with footmen, and they have wearied thee, how wilt thou then contend with horses? And if in a land of peace thou thinkest thyself in security, how wilt thou then do in the swelling of the Jordan?

So run

I therefore thus run, as not uncertainly; so I combat, as not beating the air.

and I went up according to revelation, and I laid before them the glad tidings which I preach among the nations, but privately to those conspicuous among them, lest in any way I run or had run in vain;

Ye ran well; who has stopped you that ye should not obey the truth?

holding forth the word of life, so as to be a boast for me in Christ's day, that I have not run in vain nor laboured in vain.

I pursue, looking towards the goal, for the prize of the calling on high of God in Christ Jesus.

I have combated the good combat, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Let us also therefore, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight, and sin which so easily entangles us, run with endurance the race that lies before us,

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for, having been proved, he shall receive the crown of life, which He has promised to them that love him.

I come quickly: hold fast what thou hast, that no one take thy crown.