Israel, tell us how your enemies have persecuted you ever since you were young.

They cut deep wounds in my back and made it like a plowed field.

I will give it to those who oppressed you, to those who made you lie down in the streets and trampled on you as if you were dirt."

Israel, the LORD who created you says, "Do not be afraid---I will save you. I have called you by name---you are mine.

When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you.

They strengthened the believers and encouraged them to remain true to the faith. "We must pass through many troubles to enter the Kingdom of God," they taught.

so that none of you should turn back because of these persecutions. You yourselves know that such persecutions are part of God's will for us.

For while we were still with you, we told you ahead of time that we were going to be persecuted; and as you well know, that is exactly what happened.

He saves them from death; he keeps them alive in times of famine.

He pulled me out of a dangerous pit, out of the deadly quicksand. He set me safely on a rock and made me secure.

He taught me to sing a new song, a song of praise to our God. Many who see this will take warning and will put their trust in the LORD.

God brought you out of trouble, and let you enjoy security; your table was piled high with food.

But Abraham said, 'Remember, my son, that in your lifetime you were given all the good things, while Lazarus got all the bad things. But now he is enjoying himself here, while you are in pain.

We call them happy because they endured. You have heard of Job's patience, and you know how the Lord provided for him in the end. For the Lord is full of mercy and compassion.

"I don't know, sir. You do," I answered. He said to me, "These are the people who have come safely through the terrible persecution. They have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb.

Never again will they hunger or thirst; neither sun nor any scorching heat will burn them,

He changed deserts into pools of water and dry land into flowing springs.

They sowed the fields and planted grapevines and reaped an abundant harvest.

The lame will leap and dance, and those who cannot speak will shout for joy. Streams of water will flow through the desert;

the burning sand will become a lake, and dry land will be filled with springs. Where jackals used to live, marsh grass and reeds will grow.