Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

Have you suffered so many things in vain -- if indeed [it was] in vain?

Nevertheless, to [the degree] that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but [that] we may receive a full reward.

"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place -- unless you repent.

"Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,

'to open their eyes, [in order] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing [them] to prison.

Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear [is] in me.

For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and [for] as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, [even] to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.

[This is] a faithful saying: For if we died with [Him,] We shall also live with [Him.]

If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.