with this goal in mind, ¹  I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God ²  in Christ Jesus.

because you are attaining the goal of your faith – the salvation of your souls.

But the aim of our instruction ¹  is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. ² 

But ¹  he said to them, “Go ²  and tell that fox, ³  ‘Look, I am casting out demons and performing healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day ⁴  I will complete my work. ⁵ 

My goal is that ¹  their hearts, having been knit together ²  in love, may be encouraged, and that ³  they may have all the riches that assurance brings in their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ⁴ 

What is my strength, that I should wait? ¹  and what is my end, ²  that I should prolong my life?

So I do not run uncertainly or box like one who hits only air.

Pursue love and be eager for the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

So then whether we are alive ¹  or away, we make it our ambition to please him. ² 

Are you so foolish? Although you began ¹  with ²  the Spirit, are you now trying to finish ³  by human effort? ⁴ 

Be imitators of me, ¹  brothers and sisters, ²  and watch carefully those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example.

Toward this goal ¹  I also labor, struggling according to his power that powerfully ²  works in me.

for you have not yet come to the final stop ¹  and inheritance the Lord your God is giving you.

Therefore let those of us who are “perfect” embrace this point of view. ¹  If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways. ² 

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone.

Therefore we must be wary ¹  that, while the promise of entering his rest remains open, none of you may seem to have come short of it.

But he does not agree with this, his mind does not reason this way, ¹  for his goal is to destroy, and to eliminate many nations. ² 

Look, the sovereign master, the Lord who commands armies, is ready to cut off the branches with terrifying power. ¹  The tallest trees ²  will be cut down, the loftiest ones will be brought low.

For the message is a witness to what is decreed; ¹  it gives reliable testimony about how matters will turn out. ²  Even if the message ³  is not fulfilled right away, wait patiently; ⁴  for it will certainly come to pass – it will not arrive late.

You heard me say to you, ¹  ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad ²  that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am. ³