so that no onewould be disturbedby theseafflictions;for you yourselvesknowthat we have been destinedfor this.
"For He performswhatis appointedfor me, And manysuch[decrees] are with Him.
For he will neverbe shaken;The righteouswill be rememberedforever.
"But beforeallthese things,they will laytheir handson you and will persecuteyou, deliveringyou to the synagoguesand prisons,bringingyou beforekingsand governorsfor My name'ssake.
"They will makeyou outcasts from the synagogue,but an houris comingfor everyonewho killsyou to thinkthat he is offeringserviceto God.
"These thingsI have spokento you, sothat in Me you may havepeace.In the worldyou havetribulation,but take courage;I have overcomethe world."
strengtheningthe soulsof the disciples,encouragingthem to continuein the faith,and [saying], "Throughmanytribulationswe mustenterthe kingdomof God."
"For Davidsaysof Him, 'I SAWTHE LORDALWAYSIN MY PRESENCE;FOR HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND,SOTHAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN.
And comingto us, he tookPaul'sbeltand boundhis ownfeetand hands,and said,"This is whatthe HolySpiritsays:'In this waythe Jewsat Jerusalemwill bindthe manwhoownsthisbeltand deliverhim into the handsof the Gentiles.'"
ThenPaulanswered,"Whatare you doing,weepingand breakingmy heart?For I amreadynot onlyto be bound,but evento dieat Jerusalemfor the nameof the LordJesus."
for I will showhim how muchhe mustsufferfor My name'ssake."
And not onlythis, but we alsoexultin our tribulations,knowingthat tribulationbrings aboutperseverance;
Therefore,my belovedbrethren,be steadfast,immovable,alwaysaboundingin the workof the Lord,knowingthat your toilis not [in] vainin the Lord.
For, I think,Godhas exhibitedus apostleslast of all,as men condemned to death;becausewe have becomea spectacleto the world,bothto angelsand to men.
ThereforeI askyou not to lose heartat my tribulationson your behalf,for they are your glory.
in no wayalarmedby [your] opponents--whichis a signof destructionfor them, but of salvationfor you, and that [too], from God.
ifindeedyou continuein the faithfirmly establishedand steadfast,and not moved awayfrom the hopeof the gospelthat you have heard,which was proclaimedin allcreationunderheaven,and of whichI, Paul,was madea minister.
For Godhas not destinedus for wrath,but for obtainingsalvationthroughour LordJesusChrist,
therefore,we ourselvesspeak proudlyof you amongthe churchesof Godfor your perseveranceand faithin the midst of allyour persecutionsand afflictionswhichyou endure.
Thereforedo not be ashamedof the testimonyof our Lordorof me His prisoner,but join with [me] in sufferingfor the gospelaccordingto the powerof God,
For you have been calledfor thispurpose, sinceChristalsosufferedfor you, leavingyou an examplefor you to followin His steps,
Do not fearwhatyou are aboutto suffer.Behold,the devilis aboutto castsome of you into prison,sothat you will be tested,and you will havetribulationfor tendays.Be faithfuluntildeath,and I will giveyou the crownof life.
I knowwhereyou dwell,whereSatan'sthroneis; and you hold fastMy name,and did not denyMy faithevenin the daysof Antipas,My witness,My faithful one,whowas killedamongyou, whereSatandwells.
