To the Jews I became like a Jew to gain the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) ¹  to gain those under the law.

By your endurance ¹  you will gain ²  your lives. ³ 

For since I am free from all I can make myself a slave to all, in order to gain even more people. ¹ 

Do you not know that all the runners in a stadium compete, but only one receives the prize? So run to win.

To those free from the law I became like one free from the law (though I am not free from God’s law but under the law of Christ) to gain those free from the law.

To the weak I became weak in order to gain the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that by all means I may save some.

The words of a wise person ¹  win him ²  favor, ³  but the words ⁴  of a fool are self-destructive. ⁵ 

After these faithful deeds were accomplished, King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah. He besieged the fortified cities, intending to seize them. ¹ 

They court you eagerly, ¹  but for no good purpose; ²  they want to exclude you, so that you would seek them eagerly. ³ 

A relative ¹  offended ²  is harder to reach than ³  a strong city, and disputes are like the barred gates ⁴  of a fortified citadel. ⁵ 

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

Then ¹  when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that never fades away.

For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in order to bring about the obedience ¹  of the Gentiles, by word and deed,

Each competitor must exercise self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.

Watch out, so that you do not lose the things we have worked for, ¹  but receive a full reward. ² 

Then you will find ¹  favor and good understanding, ²  in the sight of God and people. ³ 

for with guidance you wage your war, and with numerous advisers there is victory. ¹ 

For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth.

For they did not conquer ¹  the land by their swords, and they did not prevail by their strength, ²  but rather by your power, ³  strength ⁴  and good favor, ⁵  for you were partial to ⁶  them.

That is how ¹  they have grown fat and sleek. ²  There is no limit to the evil things they do. ³  They do not plead the cause of the fatherless in such a way as to win it. They do not defend the rights of the poor.