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149 Bible verses for times of persecution
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me.Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.
“If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me first.If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you do not belong to the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you.He takes away every branch that does not bear fruit in me. He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit.Remember what I told you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they obeyed my word, they will obey yours too.
Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you.But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad.If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, who is the Spirit of God, rests on you.
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?As it is written, “For your sake we encounter death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us!For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers,nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me.
They strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “We must enter the kingdom of God through many persecutions.”
For it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him,
But remember the former days when you endured a harsh conflict of suffering after you were enlightened.At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and afflictions, and at other times you came to share with others who were treated in that way.For in fact you shared the sufferings of those in prison, and you accepted the confiscation of your belongings with joy, because you knew that you certainly had a better and lasting possession.So do not throw away your confidence, because it has great reward.For you need endurance in order to do God’s will and so receive what is promised.
“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject you as evil on account of the Son of Man!Rejoice in that day, and jump for joy, because your reward is great in heaven. For their ancestors did the same things to the prophets.
And you will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
The Lord delivers and vindicates me! I fear no one! The Lord protects my life! I am afraid of no one!Even if my father and mother abandoned me, the Lord would take me in.Teach me how you want me to live; lead me along a level path because of those who wait to ambush me!Do not turn me over to my enemies, for false witnesses who want to destroy me testify against me.Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience the Lord’s favor in the land of the living?Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!When evil men attack me to devour my flesh, when my adversaries and enemies attack me, they stumble and fall.Even when an army is deployed against me, I do not fear. Even when war is imminent, I remain confident.
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you – yes, I help you – yes, I uphold you with my saving right hand!
Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,and endurance, character, and character, hope.And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage – I have conquered the world.”
As for you, the one who lives in the shelter of the sovereign One, and resides in the protective shadow of the mighty king –No harm will overtake you; no illness will come near your home.For he will order his angels to protect you in all you do.They will lift you up in their hands, so you will not slip and fall on a stone.You will subdue a lion and a snake; you will trample underfoot a young lion and a serpent.The Lord says, “Because he is devoted to me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he is loyal to me.When he calls out to me, I will answer him. I will be with him when he is in trouble; I will rescue him and bring him honor.I will satisfy him with long life, and will let him see my salvation.I say this about the Lord, my shelter and my stronghold, my God in whom I trust –
When you pass through the waters, I am with you; when you pass through the streams, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm you.
“I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.Beware of people, because they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues.And you will be brought before governors and kings because of me, as a witness to them and the Gentiles.
But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. But do not be terrified of them or be shaken.
No weapon forged to be used against you will succeed; you will refute everyone who tries to accuse you. This is what the Lord will do for his servants – I will vindicate them,” says the Lord.
But the Lord delivers the godly; he protects them in times of trouble.Then you will take delight in the Lord, and he will answer your prayers.The Lord helps them and rescues them; he rescues them from evil men and delivers them, for they seek his protection.
For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow toward us, so also our comfort through Christ overflows to you.But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort that you experience in your patient endurance of the same sufferings that we also suffer.And our hope for you is steadfast because we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you will share in our comfort.
Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself.
So they left the council rejoicing because they had been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
God is our strong refuge; he is truly our helper in times of trouble.He says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God! I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!”The Lord who commands armies is on our side! The God of Jacob is our protector! (Selah)For this reason we do not fear when the earth shakes, and the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea,
For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God.For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps.
When I am afraid, I trust in you.In God – I boast in his promise – in God I trust, I am not afraid. What can mere men do to me?
For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us.
so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
choosing rather to be ill-treated with the people of God than to enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasure.He regarded abuse suffered for Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for his eyes were fixed on the reward.
For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.
You determine my destiny! Rescue me from the power of my enemies and those who chase me.Smile on your servant! Deliver me because of your faithfulness!
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.
Certainly the Lord does not forsake his people; he does not abandon the nation that belongs to him.For justice will prevail, and all the morally upright will be vindicated.
Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power.Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
But the sovereign Lord helps me, so I am not humiliated. For that reason I am steadfastly resolved; I know I will not be put to shame.
Therefore we do not despair, but even if our physical body is wearing away, our inner person is being renewed day by day.For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparisonbecause we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, a prisoner for his sake, but by God’s power accept your share of suffering for the gospel.
The Lord is my high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer. My God is my rocky summit where I take shelter, my shield, the horn that saves me, and my refuge.
The fear of people becomes a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be set on high.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
He gives strength to those who are tired; to the ones who lack power, he gives renewed energy.A voice cries out, “In the wilderness clear a way for the Lord; construct in the desert a road for our God.Even youths get tired and weary; even strong young men clumsily stumble.But those who wait for the Lord’s help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired.
But as God’s servants, we have commended ourselves in every way, with great endurance, in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses,in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in troubles, in sleepless nights, in hunger,
Your conduct must be free from the love of money and you must be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.”So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.This will be a time for you to serve as witnesses.
And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty handby casting all your cares on him because he cares for you.
Even if he trips, he will not fall headlong, for the Lord holds his hand.I was once young, now I am old. I have never seen a godly man abandoned, or his children forced to search for food.All day long he shows compassion and lends to others, and his children are blessed.
My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials,For human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls.But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves.For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror.For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets what sort of person he was.But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out – he will be blessed in what he does.If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile.Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world.because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.
Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
As a result we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions you are enduring.This is evidence of God’s righteous judgment, to make you worthy of the kingdom of God, for which in fact you are suffering.
The name of the Lord is like a strong tower; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high.
The Lord says, “Because he is devoted to me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he is loyal to me.When he calls out to me, I will answer him. I will be with him when he is in trouble; I will rescue him and bring him honor.
For this reason I ask you not to lose heart because of what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the rest of the prisoners were listening to them.Suddenly a great earthquake occurred, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Immediately all the doors flew open, and the bonds of all the prisoners came loose.
And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,
I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith!Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day – and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.
Shout for joy, O sky! Rejoice, O earth! Let the mountains give a joyful shout! For the Lord consoles his people and shows compassion to the oppressed.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us,For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness.Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it.Therefore, strengthen your listless hands and your weak knees,and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but be healed.Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord.See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up and causing trouble, and through him many become defiled.And see to it that no one becomes an immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.For you know that later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing with tears.For you have not come to something that can be touched, to a burning fire and darkness and gloom and a whirlwindand the blast of a trumpet and a voice uttering words such that those who heard begged to hear no more.keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
But they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more they can do.You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”Then Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?”The Lord replied, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his household servants, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time?Blessed is that slave whom his master finds at work when he returns.I tell you the truth, the master will put him in charge of all his possessions.But if that slave should say to himself, ‘My master is delayed in returning,’ and he begins to beat the other slaves, both men and women, and to eat, drink, and get drunk,then the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not foresee, and will cut him in two, and assign him a place with the unfaithful.That servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or do what his master asked will receive a severe beating.But the one who did not know his master’s will and did things worthy of punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.“I have come to bring fire on the earth – and how I wish it were already kindled!But I will warn you whom you should fear: Fear the one who, after the killing, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life because of me will find it.
I look up toward the hills. From where does my help come?My help comes from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth!
Tell those who panic, “Be strong! Do not fear! Look, your God comes to avenge! With divine retribution he comes to deliver you.”
Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.
Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Then Jesus spoke out again, “I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
The Lord is on my side, I am not afraid! What can people do to me?The Lord is on my side as my helper. I look in triumph on those who hate me.
For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand.Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness,by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace,and in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
They continued to stone Stephen while he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!”But God spoke as follows: ‘Your descendants will be foreigners in a foreign country, whose citizens will enslave them and mistreat them for four hundred years.Then he fell to his knees and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he died.
Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
For God alone I patiently wait; he is the one who delivers me.Do not trust in what you can gain by oppression! Do not put false confidence in what you can gain by robbery! If wealth increases, do not become attached to it!God has declared one principle; two principles I have heard: God is strong,and you, O Lord, demonstrate loyal love. For you repay men for what they do.He alone is my protector and deliverer. He is my refuge; I will not be upended.
Look, the sovereign Lord comes as a victorious warrior; his military power establishes his rule. Look, his reward is with him; his prize goes before him.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me – and I in him – bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.
So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you.Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded.
You are from God, little children, and have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will permit him to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.’
Even when I must walk in the midst of danger, you revive me. You oppose my angry enemies, and your right hand delivers me.
Throw your burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the godly to be upended.
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or tremble before them, for the Lord your God is the one who is going with you. He will not fail you or abandon you!”
If we live, we live for the Lord; if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
Jesus looked at them and replied, “This is impossible for mere humans, but for God all things are possible.”
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.
The Lord strengthens and protects me; I trust in him with all my heart. I am rescued and my heart is full of joy; I will sing to him in gratitude.
because everyone who has been fathered by God conquers the world. This is the conquering power that has conquered the world: our faith.Now who is the person who has conquered the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Look, God is my deliverer! I will trust in him and not fear. For the Lord gives me strength and protects me; he has become my deliverer.”
And let us hold unwaveringly to the hope that we confess, for the one who made the promise is trustworthy.
The Lord, my protector, deserves praise – the one who trains my hands for battle, and my fingers for war,the one who delivers kings, and rescued David his servant from a deadly sword.Grab me and rescue me from the power of foreigners, who speak lies, and make false promises.Then our sons will be like plants, that quickly grow to full size. Our daughters will be like corner pillars, carved like those in a palace.Our storehouses will be full, providing all kinds of food. Our sheep will multiply by the thousands and fill our pastures.Our cattle will be weighted down with produce. No one will break through our walls, no one will be taken captive, and there will be no terrified cries in our city squares.How blessed are the people who experience these things! How blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!who loves me and is my stronghold, my refuge and my deliverer, my shield and the one in whom I take shelter, who makes nations submit to me.
Everyone whom the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never send away.
Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,and endurance, character, and character, hope.
Listen to me, you who know what is right, you people who are aware of my law! Don’t be afraid of the insults of men; don’t be discouraged because of their abuse!For a moth will eat away at them like clothes; a clothes moth will devour them like wool. But the vindication I provide will be permanent; the deliverance I give will last.”
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice, set things right, be encouraged, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
For I am the Lord your God, the one who takes hold of your right hand, who says to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, I am helping you.’Don’t be afraid, despised insignificant Jacob, men of Israel. I am helping you,” says the Lord, your protector, the Holy One of Israel.
For the Lord God is our sovereign protector. The Lord bestows favor and honor; he withholds no good thing from those who have integrity.
So then, dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
and what is the incomparable greatness of his power toward us who believe, as displayed in the exercise of his immense strength.Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!This power he exercised in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms
with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience the Lord’s favor in the land of the living?
And now, Lord, pay attention to their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your message with great courage,So they seized them and put them in jail until the next day (for it was already evening).while you extend your hand to heal, and to bring about miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God courageously.
Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
I will lead the blind along an unfamiliar way; I will guide them down paths they have never traveled. I will turn the darkness in front of them into light, and level out the rough ground. This is what I will do for them. I will not abandon them.
But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
The sun will no longer supply light for you by day, nor will the moon’s brightness shine on you; the Lord will be your permanent source of light – the splendor of your God will shine upon you.For, look, darkness covers the earth and deep darkness covers the nations, but the Lord shines on you; his splendor appears over you.Your sun will no longer set; your moon will not disappear; the Lord will be your permanent source of light; your time of sorrow will be over.
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion; it cannot be upended and will endure forever.
For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the one who shined in our hearts to give us the light of the glorious knowledge of God in the face of Christ.
So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear such a name.
The Lord your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you.”
Can a woman forget her baby who nurses at her breast? Can she withhold compassion from the child she has borne? Even if mothers were to forget, I could never forget you!Look, I have inscribed your name on my palms; your walls are constantly before me.
The night has advanced toward dawn; the day is near. So then we must lay aside the works of darkness, and put on the weapons of light.Let us live decently as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in discord and jealousy.Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to arouse its desires.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions that we taught you, whether by speech or by letter.Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope,encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good thing you do or say.
And now, little children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink away from him in shame when he comes back.
Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.
As for me, I will call out to God, and the Lord will deliver me.During the evening, morning, and noontime I will lament and moan, and he will hear me.
For you are my high ridge and my stronghold; for the sake of your own reputation you lead me and guide me.You will free me from the net they hid for me, for you are my place of refuge.Into your hand I entrust my life; you will rescue me, O Lord, the faithful God.
For this is what the master, the Lord, the Holy One of Israel says: “If you repented and patiently waited for me, you would be delivered; if you calmly trusted in me you would find strength, but you are unwilling.