Holman Christian Standard Bible

1 Corinthians 9:19-27 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

19. Although I am a free man and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people.

20. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law — though I myself am not under the law — to win those under the law.

21. To those who are without that law, like one without the law — not being without God’s law but within Christ’s law — to win those without the law.

22. To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some.

23. Now I do all this because of the gospel, so I may become a partner in its benefits.

24. Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.

25. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown that will fade away, but we a crown that will never fade away.

26. Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air.

27. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.