Then Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men now stand and have a contest before us.” And Joab said, “Let them stand.”

"Is this a contest of strength? He is obviously stronger! Is this a matter of justice? Who can sue him?

Wherefore dost thou hide thy face, and countest me for thine enemy?

For, now, my steps, thou countest, Thou wilt not pass over my sin:

Thou countest my wanderings; put my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

but if the contest be about other matters, it may be decided in a regular assembly.

but when a contest arises, you must refer the decision to infidels?

But every competitor in an athletic contest practices abstemiousness in all directions. They indeed do this for the sake of securing a perishable wreath, but we for the sake of securing one that will not perish.

But am beating my body under, and leading it captive, lest, by any means, - unto others, having proclaimed, the contest , I myself, should be rejected.

If, however, any one still thinks it right to contest the point-well, we have no such custom, nor have the Churches of God.

For our contest is not with human foes alone, but with the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark world; that is, with the spirit-forces of evil challenging us in the heavenly contest.

So you must take on God's full armor, so as to be able to take a stand in the day when evil attacks you, and, after having completely finished the contest, to hold your own.

Having, the same contest, which ye have seen in me, and now hear to be in me.

For I desire you to know, how great a contest I am having - in behalf of you, and of those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

But also having suffered before, and having been injured, as ye know, among the Philippians, we acted freely in our God to speak to you the good news of God with much contest.

For what is [the basis of] our hope, or joy, or crown of honor in the presence of the Lord Jesus when He comes back? [Note: By "crown" Paul alludes to the laurel wreath awarded to the victor in an athletic contest]. Will it not be you people?

Take care that none of you ever pays back wrong for wrong, but always follow the kindest course with one another and with every one.

Ever reject these profane and old womanish myths; and continually train yourself for the contest of godliness.

Be contesting the noble contest of the faith, - lay hold of the age-abiding life - unto which thou wast called, and didst make the noble confession before many witnesses.

And if any one takes part in an athletic contest, he gets no prize unless he obeys the rules.

I have gone through the glorious contest; I have run the race; I have guarded the faith.

If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.

But remember the former days, in which, after being enlightened, ye endured a great contest of sufferings.

Who, through faith - prevailed in contest over kingdoms, wrought righteousness, attained unto promises, shut the mouths of lions,

Therefore, we also having so great a cloud of witnesses set around us, every weight having put off, and the closely besetting sin, through endurance may we run the contest that is set before us,

Not yet unto blood, have ye resisted, against sin, waging a contest;

And when the Supreme Shepherd [i.e., Jesus] comes back, you will receive [for your effort] a glorious crown [of reward] that will never fade away [Note: The idea of "fading away" is suggested by the laurel wreath bestowed on the winner of an athletic contest].