"They will say that only through me are victory and strength to be found; but all who hate me will suffer disgrace.

But his answer was: "My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak." I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me.

I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves,

Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power.

I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

"Your right hand, LORD, is awesome in power; it breaks the enemy in pieces.

Let me see you in the sanctuary; let me see how mighty and glorious you are.

But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Yet we who have this spiritual treasure are like common clay pots, in order to show that the supreme power belongs to God, not to us.

to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, might, and authority, from all ages past, and now, and forever and ever! Amen.

If you are weak in a crisis, you are weak indeed.

As the apostles left the Council, they were happy, because God had considered them worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of Jesus.

Some people keep on doing good, and seek glory, honor, and immortal life; to them God will give eternal life.

We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance,

This hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to us.

Instead, in everything we do we show that we are God's servants by patiently enduring troubles, hardships, and difficulties.

By our purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness we have shown ourselves to be God's servants---by the Holy Spirit, by our true love,

But his answer was: "My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak." I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me.

I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another.

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.

As for you, my son, be strong through the grace that is ours in union with Christ Jesus.

Take your part in suffering, as a loyal soldier of Christ Jesus.

You shared the sufferings of prisoners, and when all your belongings were seized, you endured your loss gladly, because you knew that you still possessed something much better, which would last forever.

You need to be patient, in order to do the will of God and receive what he promises.

My righteous people, however, will believe and live; but if any of them turns back, I will not be pleased with them."

put out fierce fires, escaped being killed by the sword. They were weak, but became strong; they were mighty in battle and defeated the armies of foreigners.

Some were mocked and whipped, and others were put in chains and taken off to prison.

The world was not good enough for them! They wandered like refugees in the deserts and hills, living in caves and holes in the ground.

As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us.

Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God's throne.

My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way,

Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Be patient, then, my friends, until the Lord comes. See how patient farmers are as they wait for their land to produce precious crops. They wait patiently for the autumn and spring rains.

You also must be patient. Keep your hopes high, for the day of the Lord's coming is near.

to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add endurance; to your endurance add godliness;

This calls for endurance on the part of God's people, those who obey God's commandments and are faithful to Jesus.