Martyrs Acepsimus, Joseph, Aithalas; Holy Virgin Martyr Winefride of Treffynnon (Holywell), Wales (7th c.); Dedication of the Temple of the Holy Great Martyr George in Lydda

Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ ⁹and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith, ¹⁰that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death, ¹¹if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. ¹²Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

¹³Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do: forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you. ¹⁶Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let’s walk by the same rule. Let’s be of the same mind.

¹⁷Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example. ¹⁸For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ, ¹⁹whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things.

But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. ³Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

⁴“I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. ⁵But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

⁶“Aren’t five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷But the very hairs of your head are all counted. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.

⁸“I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, the Son of Man will also confess before the angels of God; ⁹but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of God’s angels. ¹⁰Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. ¹¹When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don’t be anxious how or what you will answer or what you will say; ¹²for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say.”