Be glad about this, even though it may now be necessary for you to be sad for a while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer.

Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted.

"Happy are you when people hate you, reject you, insult you, and say that you are evil, all because of the Son of Man!

Be glad when that happens and dance for joy, because a great reward is kept for you in heaven. For their ancestors did the very same things to the prophets.

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

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

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

And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble.

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.

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

for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure.

I, who am an elder myself, appeal to the church elders among you. I am a witness of Christ's sufferings, and I will share in the glory that will be revealed. I appeal to you

But after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who calls you to share his eternal glory in union with Christ, will himself perfect you and give you firmness, strength, and a sure foundation.

Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him; for if we share Christ's suffering, we will also share his glory.

So our hope in you is never shaken; we know that just as you share in our sufferings, you also share in the help we receive.

At all times we carry in our mortal bodies the death of Jesus, so that his life also may be seen in our bodies.

All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death,

And now I am happy about my sufferings for you, for by means of my physical sufferings I am helping to complete what still remains of Christ's sufferings on behalf of his body, the church.

If we continue to endure, we shall also rule with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us.

I am John, your brother, and as a follower of Jesus I am your partner in patiently enduring the suffering that comes to those who belong to his Kingdom. I was put on the island of Patmos because I had proclaimed God's word and the truth that Jesus revealed.

They are for you, who through faith are kept safe by God's power for the salvation which is ready to be revealed at the end of time.

Be glad about this, even though it may now be necessary for you to be sad for a while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer.

So then, have your minds ready for action. Keep alert and set your hope completely on the blessing which will be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

For the Son of Man is about to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will reward each one according to his deeds.

"When the Son of Man comes as King and all the angels with him, he will sit on his royal throne,

If you are ashamed of me and of my teaching in this godless and wicked day, then the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

That is how it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed.

and he will give relief to you who suffer and to us as well. He will do this when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven with his mighty angels,

They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and from his glorious might,

Look, he is coming on the clouds! Everyone will see him, including those who pierced him. All peoples on earth will mourn over him. So shall it be!

You love him, although you have not seen him, and you believe in him, although you do not now see him. So you rejoice with a great and glorious joy which words cannot express,

When it happens, everyone will say, "He is our God! We have put our trust in him, and he has rescued us. He is the LORD! We have put our trust in him, and now we are happy and joyful because he has saved us."

They will reach Jerusalem with gladness, singing and shouting for joy. They will be happy forever, forever free from sorrow and grief.

Those whom you have rescued will reach Jerusalem with gladness, singing and shouting for joy. They will be happy forever, forever free from sorrow and grief.

'Well done, you good and faithful servant!' said his master. 'You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!'

'Well done, you good and faithful servant!' said his master. 'You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!'

Then the King will say to the people on his right, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father! Come and possess the kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation of the world.