⁴² And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”^(A)

Epilogue: Invitation and Warning

¹² “Look, I am coming soon!^(A) My reward is with me,^(B) and I will give to each person according to what they have done.^(C)

The Need for Self-Discipline

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?^(A) Run^(B) in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown^(C) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.^(D)

¹⁷ “‘Well done, my good servant!’^(A) his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’^(B)

¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.^{(A) 12} If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is,^(B) because the Day^(C) will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.^{(D) 14} If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.^{(E) 15} If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.^(F)