συντηροῦνται [1 verse](3rd pl pres ind mp) "Are preserved" comes from syntereo, which means to "keep", "preserve", "maintain", "observe strictly", "watch one's opportunity", "watch over," and "protect." -- The word translated as "are preserved" means "to keep" and "to maintain," but it also means "to observe strictly," referring again, to philosophies. It literally means "keep together."