Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Nevertheless, to what we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

O that my ways were directed to keep your statutes!

Let your hand help me; for I have chosen your precepts.

Let my soul live, and it shall praise you; and let your judgments help me.

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you are also called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses.

For in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

The righteous also shall hold to his way, and he that has clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me: your mercy, O LORD, endures forever: forsake not the works of your own hands.

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day.

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

For we are glad, when we are weak, and you are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, who are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, restore, establish, strengthen, settle you.

And for this reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love.

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

To the Chief Musician. A maschil, for the Sons of Korah. As the hart pants after the water brooks, so pants my soul after you, O God.

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, you are my God; early will I seek you: my soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.

My soul longs, yea, even faints for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.

Hearken to me, you that follow after righteousness, you that seek the LORD: look unto the rock from where you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug.

Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Well reported of for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

But you, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Let him turn away from evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it.

And who is he that will harm you, if you be followers of that which is good?

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you are also called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses.

The LORD shall send the rod of your strength out of Zion: rule you in the midst of your enemies.

Your people shall be willing in the day of your power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: you have the dew of your youth.

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

And he said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute: it is hard for you to kick against the goads.

According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: