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No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him.
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An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
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It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.
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Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything.
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Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel,
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the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered.
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Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory.
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The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we shall also live with him;
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if we endure, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;
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if we are faithless, he remains faithful--for he cannot deny himself.
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Remind them of this, and charge them before the Lord to avoid disputing about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.