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 men of prudence, nor yet grace to men of eloquence; but time and chance happens to them all.

If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, in which thou didst trust, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

So run

I therefore so run, not as unto an uncertain thing; so I fight, not as one that beats the air;

But I went up by revelation and communicated unto them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who seemed to be of repute, to not run, or have run, in vain.

Ye did run well; who hindered you that ye should not trust in the truth?

holding fast the word of life, that I may glory in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith;

Therefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, leaving behind all the weight of the sin which surrounds us, let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Blessed is the man that patiently endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those that love him.

Behold, I come quickly; hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown.