But remember the former days in which, after you were given understanding, you endured a great struggle with afflictions,

Take heed and do not turn away to iniquity, for you have chosen this rather than affliction.

For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Blessed are they who have been persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

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

yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when affliction or persecution arises because of the Word, immediately he stumbles.

And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian.

For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand.

except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

And not only that, but we also exult in afflictions, knowing that affliction produces perseverance;

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

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed unto us.

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

Yet in all these things we more than conquer through Him who loves us.

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

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

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

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,

which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but partake in the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God,

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

And also if anyone competes, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully.

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

for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of bonds; but the Word of God is not bound.

persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at 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 suffer persecution.

for the wrath of man does not bring about the righteousness of God.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,

that the testing of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found unto praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Beloved, do not be astonished at the fiery trial which is to try you, as though something unheard of was happening to you;

If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. According to them He is blasphemed, but according to you He is glorified.

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this regard.

There remains therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God.

The nobles of the peoples are gathered together, the people of the God of Abraham; for the shields of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted.

who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who did not have mercy but now have mercy.

that the rejoicing of the wicked is near its end, and the mirth of the hypocrite is but for a moment?

They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.

They spend their days in prosperity, and in a moment go down to Sheol.

Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to desolation.

like a dream when one awakes; so, O Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image.

My heart has wandered, terror overwhelms me; the twilight I longed for He has turned into trembling.

Now therefore hear this, O voluptuous one, who lives securely; who says in her heart, I am, and there is no one else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, nor shall I know the loss of children.

But these two things shall come to you in a moment in one day: The loss of children, and widowhood. They shall come upon you in their fullness for the multitude of your sorceries, and for the great power of your enchantments.

And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.

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

But Abraham said, Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.

You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.

By however much she has glorified herself and lived luxuriously, by the same amount give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.