And, when you fast, do not put on gloomy looks, as hypocrites do who disfigure their faces that they may be seen by men to be fasting. That, I tell you, is their reward!

Then John's disciples came to Jesus, and asked: "Why do we and the Pharisees fast while your disciples do not?"

Jesus answered: "Can the bridegroom's friends mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom will be parted from them, and they will fast then.

Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were keeping a fast, and people came and asked Jesus: "Why is it that John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, while yours do not?"

Jesus answered: "Can the bridegroom's friends fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

But the days will come, when the bridegroom will be parted from them, and they will fast then--when that day comes.

"John's disciples," they said to Jesus, "Often fast and say prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, while yours are eating and drinking!"

But Jesus answered them: "Can you make the bridegroom's friends fast while the bridegroom is with them?

But the days will come--a time when the bridegroom will be parted from them; and they will fast then, when those days come."

I fast twice a week, and give a tenth of everything I get to God.'

This had taken a considerable time, and sailing was already dangerous, for the Fast was already over; and so Paul gave this warning.

They got, however, into a kind of channel, and there ran the ship aground. The bows stuck fast and could not be moved, while the stern began breaking up under the strain.

Whatever was written in the Scriptures in days gone by was written for our instruction, so that, through patient endurance, and through the encouragement drawn from the Scriptures, we might hold fast to our hope.

And by means of which you are being saved. I would remind you of the very words that I used in telling it to you, since you are still holding fast to it, and since it was not in vain that you became believers in Christ.

So then, my dear Brothers, whom I am longing to see--you who are my joy and my crown, stand fast in union with the Lord, dear friends.

For it is new life to us to know that you are holding fast to the Lord.

Stand firm then, Brothers, and hold fast to the truths that we taught you, whether by word or by letter.

We have, then, in Jesus, the Son of God, a great High Priest who has passed into the highest Heaven; let us, therefore, hold fast to the Faith which we have professed.

only hold fast to what you have received, until I come.