For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,