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1 Corinthians 9:24-27
New International Version
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
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) 27 No, I strike a blow to my body(G) and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.(H)
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
King James Version
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
King James Version
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
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1 Corinthians 9:24-27
New American Standard Bible
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
New American Standard Bible
24 (A)Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives (B)the prize? (C)Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who (D)competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable (E)wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I (F)run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as [a]to avoid (G)hitting air; 27 but I strictly discipline (H)my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
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- 1 Corinthians 9:26 Lit not hitting
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Amplified Bible
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Amplified Bible
24 [a]Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours! 25 Now every athlete who [goes into training and] competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things. They do it to win a [b]crown that withers, but we [do it to receive] an imperishable [crown that cannot wither]. 26 Therefore I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing]. 27 But [like a boxer] I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached [the gospel] to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified [as unfit for service].
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- 1 Corinthians 9:24 The Isthmian Games, held near Corinth, were among the major athletic competitions of ancient Greece. The Corinthians’ familiarity with this sporting event would have made this passage (vv 24-27) very meaningful to them.
- 1 Corinthians 9:25 Lit perishable crown, usually a woven wreath of pine worn as a crown.
New International Version (NIV) 
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New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
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Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.