But remember the former days, in which after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle of sufferings,

But take heed, lest you do that which is wrong: for of this you have chosen rather than poverty.

For one day in Your courts is better than thousands. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God, than dwell in the tents of sinners.

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

yet he has no root in himself, but is short-lived. For when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

And seeing someone being wronged, he retaliated, and avenged him who was being oppressed, and struck the Egyptian.

For he supposed that his brothers understood that God was giving to them deliverance by his hand, but they did not understand.

except that the Holy Spirit in every city is solemnly bearing witness, saying that bonds and tribulations are waiting for me.

But I count myself as nothing; nor do I regard my life as valuable to myself, so that I may complete my course with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear solemn testimony to the gospel of the grace of God.

And not only that, but we also rejoice in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces endurance;

And if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer together, so that we may also be glorified together.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy [to be compared] with the coming glory to be revealed in us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

But in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, all things have become new.

I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for His body, which is the church,

We are obligated to give thanks to God always for you, brothers, [and] rightfully so, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all increases towards one another,

[which is] evidence of the righteous judgment of God, so that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, on behalf of which you also suffer;

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but endure hardship with the gospel according to the power of God,

You therefore endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

Consider the things I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

in which I endure hardship unto chains as an evildoer; but the word of God is not chained.

persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, in Iconium, at Lystra--what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

In which you greatly rejoice, [though for] a little while now, if need be, you have been distressed by various trials,

so that the genuineness of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes, though being tested with fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Beloved, do not be surprised by the fiery trial among you, taking place to test you, as though some strange thing [was] happening to you;

If you are reviled in the name of Christ, blessed are you, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On the one hand He is blasphemed, but on the other He is glorified.

but if anyone [suffers] as a Christian, let him not be put to shame, but let him glorify God in this matter.

Then there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.

The rulers of the people are assembled with the God of Abraham; for God's mighty ones of the earth have been greatly exalted.

who formerly [were] not a people but now [are the] people of God, who had not received mercy, but now have received mercy.

But the mirth of the ungodly is a signal downfall, and the joy of transgressors is destruction:

And they remain as an unfailing flock, and their children play before [them], taking up the psaltery and harp;

And they spend their days in wealth, and fall asleep in the rest of the grave.

Surely You have appointed [judgments] to them because of their crafty dealings; You have cast them down when they were lifted up.

As the dream of one awakening, O Lord, in Your city You will despise their image.

My heart wanders, and transgression overwhelms me; my soul is occupied with fear.

But now hear these words, you luxurious one, that sits [at ease], that is secure, that says in her heart, I am, and there is not another; I shall not sit [as] a widow, neither shall I know bereavement.

But now these two things shall come upon you suddenly in one day, the loss of children and widowhood shall come suddenly upon you, for your sorcery, for the strength of your enchantments,

And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid away for many years; relax; eat, drink, and be merry."'

But God said to him, ['You] fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have prepared?'

But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things, but now here he is comforted and you are suffering.

You lived luxuriously upon the earth and you lived riotously, you nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter.

In as many things as she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give to her torment and sorrow; because she says in her heart, 'I sit as queen, and am not a widow, and I shall by no means see sorrow.'