1 Corinthians 4:12

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

we work hard with our hands. [Though] we are cursed, we [ask God’s] blessing [on people]; [though] we are persecuted, we persevere;

Cross References

Matthew 5:11

You will be blessed when people speak against you and harm you and say bad things about you that are untrue, because of [your devotion to] me.

Matthew 5:44

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Luke 23:34

Then Jesus called out, “Father, forgive these people [i.e., the ones responsible for crucifying Him], for they do not know [i.e., realize] what they are doing.” Then the soldiers [See John 19:23] divided Jesus’ clothing among them by gambling for them.

Luke 6:28

[Ask God’s] blessing on those who curse you; pray for those who treat you spitefully.

John 15:20

But they [i.e., the world] will do all these things to you for my name’s sake [i.e., because you are my disciples], for they do not know Him [i.e., God], who sent me.

Acts 18:3

and, because they followed the same trade of tent making, he stayed with them and went to work [for them].

Acts 20:34

You [also] know that I worked with my own hands to provide not only my own needs, but the needs of those who were with me.

Acts 7:60

Then he kneeled down and called out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold them responsible for this sin [of killing me].” And when he said this he fell asleep [in death].

Romans 12:14

Ask God’s blessing on people who persecute you, instead of cursing them.

Romans 12:20

[So], do not be conquered by evil, but [instead] conquer evil by doing good [deeds to people].

Romans 8:35

Who [i.e., what] can separate us from Christ’s love [for us]? [i.e., what unfortunate circumstance of life might suggest that Christ does not love us?] Would [it be] trouble? Or distress? Or persecution? Or inadequate food? Or inadequate clothing? Or danger? Or [even] death?

1 Corinthians 9:6

Or, are Barnabas and I the only ones who must have a [secular] job for our living?

2 Corinthians 11:8

I [virtually] robbed other churches by accepting [financial] support from them in order to serve you.

Ephesians 4:28

The person who has stolen must stop doing it; instead, he should work hard, doing something worthwhile with his own hands, so that he can have [money] to share with the person who needs it.

1 Thessalonians 2:9

For you brothers remember how we labored and toiled, working hard night and day, so that we would not burden any of you [while] we proclaimed to you the Gospel of God.

2 Thessalonians 3:8

neither did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. But by hard labor and toil, we worked night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you.

1 Timothy 4:10

For that reason we work hard and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, [and] especially of those who believe [in Christ].

1 Peter 2:23

When He was spoken to with harsh insults, He did not reply in the same way. When He was made to suffer, He did not threaten [His tormentors], but instead entrusted Himself to God, [whom He knew] would make a righteous judgment [in the matter].

1 Peter 3:14

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.

1 Peter 3:9

Do not repay a wrong action with [another] wrong action, nor abusive [language] with [additional] abuse, but rather be a blessing [to one another]. For the purpose of your being called [by God] was so that you could receive a blessing [from Him eventually].

1 Peter 4:19

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.

Jude 1:9

But, when the ruling angel Michael disputed with the devil over [the final disposal of] the body of Moses, [even] he did not dare to bring derogatory charges against him [i.e., the devil], but said, “May the Lord rebuke you.” [Note: Some suggest that this account appeared in an apocryphal book, possibly “The Assumption of Moses”].