Or are Barnabas and I the only ones who have to work for our living?

and stayed and worked with them, because he earned his living by making tents, just as they did.

You yourselves know that I have worked with these hands of mine to provide everything that my companions and I have needed.

Surely you remember, our friends, how we worked and toiled! We worked day and night so that we would not be any trouble to you as we preached to you the Good News from God.

We did not accept anyone's support without paying for it. Instead, we worked and toiled; we kept working day and night so as not to be an expense to any of you.

We struggle and work hard, because we have placed our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all and especially of those who believe.

But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.

Jesus said, "Forgive them, Father! They don't know what they are doing." They divided his clothes among themselves by throwing dice.

He knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord! Do not remember this sin against them!" He said this and died.

Ask God to bless those who persecute you---yes, ask him to bless, not to curse.

Instead, as the scripture says: "If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink; for by doing this you will make them burn with shame."

When he was insulted, he did not answer back with an insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but placed his hopes in God, the righteous Judge.

Do not pay back evil with evil or cursing with cursing; instead, pay back with a blessing, because a blessing is what God promised to give you when he called you.

Not even the chief angel Michael did this. In his quarrel with the Devil, when they argued about who would have the body of Moses, Michael did not dare condemn the Devil with insulting words, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"

"Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers.

But even if you should suffer for doing what is right, how happy you are! Do not be afraid of anyone, and do not worry.

My dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful test you are suffering, as though something unusual were happening to you.

Happy are you if you are insulted because you are Christ's followers; this means that the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God, is resting on you.