Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.
See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about #– #the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my instruction: do not fear disgrace by men, and do not be shattered by their taunts.
When the sons of the prophets from Jericho who were observing saw him, they said, ‘The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.’ They came to meet him and bowed down to the ground in front of him.
Conduct yourselves honourably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.
When they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his clothes and told them, ‘Your blood is on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
When he has swallowed up death once and for all, the Lord God will wipe away the tears from every face and remove his people’s disgrace from the whole earth, for the Lord has spoken.