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1 Corinthians 9:24-27
J.B. Phillips New Testament
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
J.B. Phillips New Testament
To preach the gospel faithfully is my set purpose
24-25 Do you remember how, on a racing-track, every competitor runs, but only one wins the prize? Well, you ought to run with your minds fixed on winning the prize! Every competitor in athletic events goes into serious training. Athletes will take tremendous pains—for a fading crown of leaves. But our contest is for an eternal crown that will never fade.
26-27 I run the race then with determination. I am no shadow-boxer, I really fight! I am my body’s sternest master, for fear that when I have preached to others I should myself be disqualified.
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1 Corinthians 9:24-26
New International Version
1 Corinthians 9:24-26
New International Version
The Need for Self-Discipline
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?(A) Run(B) in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown(C) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.(D) 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;(E) I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.(F)
1 Corinthians 9:24-26
New King James Version
1 Corinthians 9:24-26
New King James Version
Striving for a Crown
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? (A)Run in such a way that you may [a]obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize [b]is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for (B)an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: (C)not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
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- 1 Corinthians 9:24 win
- 1 Corinthians 9:25 exercises self-control
1 Corinthians 9:24-26
English Standard Version
1 Corinthians 9:24-26
English Standard Version
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives (A)the prize? So (B)run that you may obtain it. 25 Every (C)athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we (D)an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I (E)do not box as one (F)beating the air.
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J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)
The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.