While physical training has some value, the benefits of godliness are unlimited, since it holds out promise not only for this life but also for the life to come. | For bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but godliness is beneficial for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. |
Everyone who seeks a prize submits himself to rigorous self-discipline in every respect. They do so to win a perishable crown, while we seek an imperishable one. | Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. |
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Hence, as sin’s reign resulted in death, so the grace of God also might reign through righteousness resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. | So that, as sin reigned in death, so also grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. |
By his own choice he gave us birth through the way of truth so that we may be a kind of firstfruits of all his creation. | In the exercise of His will He gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. |
Therefore, prepare your minds for action. Be calm and fix your hopes completely on the grace that you will be granted at the revelation of Jesus Christ. | Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. |
At the time that discipline is received, it always seems painful rather than pleasant, but afterward it yields a harvest of peace and uprightness to those who have been trained by it. | For the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. |