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 

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

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.

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

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.

Even if you offer me burnt and grain offerings, ¹  I will not be satisfied; I will not look with favor on your peace offerings of fattened calves. ² 

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.

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

But we will not boast beyond certain limits, ¹  but will confine our boasting ²  according to the limits of the work to which God has appointed us, ³  that reaches even as far as you.

Am I now trying to gain the approval of people, ¹  or of God? Or am I trying to please people? ²  If I were still trying to please ³  people, ⁴  I would not be a slave ⁵  of Christ!

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

Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me. ¹ 

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 

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.