" Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart [is] My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, Nor be afraid of their insults.

" I, [even] I, [am] He who comforts you. Who [are] you that you should be afraid Of a man [who] will die, And of the son of a man [who] will be made like grass?

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

" And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

"Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God.

"But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute [you,] delivering [you] up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.

"Therefore settle [it] in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;

"You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put [some] of you to death.

"But not a hair of your head shall be lost.

But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.

So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.

And being let go, they went to their own [companions] and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

"who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: 'Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things?

"For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together

"Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten [them,] they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus [as] the Christ.

But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,

So we may boldly say: "The LORD [is] my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw [some] of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

[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;

since [it is] a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;

If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed [are you,] for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

Blessed are those who are 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.

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.

[This is] a faithful saying: For if we died with [Him,] We shall also live with [Him.]

If we endure, We shall also reign with [Him.] If we deny [Him,] He also will deny us.

I have waited for your salvation, O LORD!

Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders [his] conduct [aright] I will show the salvation of God."

Blessed [be] the Lord, [Who] daily loads us [with benefits,] The God of our salvation! Selah

Our God [is] the God of salvation; And to GOD the Lord [belong] escapes from death.

Behold, God [is] my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; 'For YAH, the LORD, [is] my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.' "

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.' "

"Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!"