And He went on ahead a short distance and fell face-down and prayed, “My Father, allow this cup [i.e., of suffering] to pass away from me if it is [at all] possible; nevertheless, let it not be what I want, but what You want [for me].”
1 Peter 3:17 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) For, if it is God’s will that you should suffer, it is better [for you] that it be on account of doing right than doing wrong. More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition For [it is] better to suffer [unjustly] for doing right, if that should be God's will, than to suffer [justly] for doing wrong. American Standard Version (1901) For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing. Common English Bible It is better to suffer for doing good (if this could possibly be God’s will) than for doing evil. Catholic Public Domain Version For it is better to suffer for doing good, if it is the will of God, than for doing evil. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version For it is better doing well (if such be the will of God) to suffer, than doing ill. |
And He went on ahead a short distance and fell face-down and prayed, “My Father, allow this cup [i.e., of suffering] to pass away from me if it is [at all] possible; nevertheless, let it not be what I want, but what You want [for me].”
He [then] went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if this [cup of suffering] cannot pass away unless I drink it [i.e., experience the suffering], [then] let what You want be done.”
So, he left them, saying, “I will come back to you if it is God’s will.” Then He sailed from Ephesus.
And when he could not be dissuaded [from going to Jerusalem] we stopped [trying to convince him], saying, “Let the Lord's will be done in the matter.”
Because of this you can be very joyous, even though it is necessary for you to have suffered many trials for a little while.
For it is God’s will that, by doing good, you should put to silence the ignorant [talk and actions] of foolish people.
But it is no credit to you if you put up with a beating you deserve. But if you patiently tolerate suffering for doing good [things], this is pleasing to God.
But even if you have to suffer for doing what was right, you still have [God’s] blessing. So, do not be afraid of the threats [of your persecutors], and do not let it worry you.
[However], you should not have to suffer for murdering, stealing, doing evil or interfering in the affairs of others.
Therefore, those who [are allowed to] suffer in harmony with God’s [permissive] will, should commit their souls to a trustworthy Creator, [who will take everything into account], while they go on [trying] to do what is right.