Do not work for food that spoils; instead, work for the food that lasts for eternal life. This is the food which the Son of Man will give you, because God, the Father, has put his mark of approval on him."

My ambition has always been to proclaim the Good News in places where Christ has not been heard of, so as not to build on a foundation laid by someone else.

That is why I run straight for the finish line; that is why I am like a boxer who does not waste his punches.

I harden my body with blows and bring it under complete control, to keep myself from being disqualified after having called others to the contest.

So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever useless.

To get this done I toil and struggle, using the mighty strength which Christ supplies and which is at work in me.

Make it your aim to live a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to earn your own living, just as we told you before.

We struggle and work hard, because we have placed our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all and especially of those who believe.

Let us, then, do our best to receive that rest, so that no one of us will fail as they did because of their lack of faith.

So then, my friends, try even harder to make God's call and his choice of you a permanent experience; if you do so, you will never abandon your faith.

In this way you will be given the full right to enter the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

And so, my friends, as you wait for that Day, do your best to be pure and faultless in God's sight and to be at peace with him.

So we are always full of courage. We know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord's home.

We are full of courage and would much prefer to leave our home in the body and be at home with the Lord.

If we live, it is for the Lord that we live, and if we die, it is for the Lord that we die. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

If you had done the right thing, you would be smiling; but because you have done evil, sin is crouching at your door. It wants to rule you, but you must overcome it."

"I will bring you to Zion, my sacred hill, give you joy in my house of prayer, and accept the sacrifices you offer on my altar. My Temple will be called a house of prayer for the people of all nations."

Those who fear him and do what is right are acceptable to him, no matter what race they belong to.

Let us praise God for his glorious grace, for the free gift he gave us in his dear Son!

Let us be thankful, then, because we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Let us be grateful and worship God in a way that will please him, with reverence and awe;