Earning A Crown

Ἐφ' ὕβρει, καὶ ἀτιμίᾳ, καὶ ἐπιβουλῇ τῇ καθ' ἡμῶν διὰ παντὸς ἰδρῦσθαι βούλονται οἱ δαίμονες, ἀλλὰ καθὼς λέγει ὁ Προφήτης, αἰσχυνθήσονται οἱ καθ' ἡμῶν ἐφ' ὕβρει, καὶ ὑψηλῇ καρδίᾳ, καὶ ταπεινωθήσονται. Ἡμῖν δὲ ἔσται ὁ στέφανος τῆς ζωῆς, καὶ δόξης, καὶ ἀφθαρσίας, ὁ πλακεὶς τοῖς τὸν Κύριον ὑπομένουσιν. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολὴ Ε´ Μαρκελλινῳ Μοναχῳ Source: Migne PG 79.85a

In their pride and without shame demons always wish to prevail against us, but as the Prophet says, they who are opposed to us in their pride shall be disgraced and their elated hearts shall be humbled. 1 But for us there shall be a crown of life and glory, incorruptible, fashioned for those who endure for the Lord. Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 5, to Marcellinus the Monk 1 Ps 39.15