but in everythingcommendingourselvesas servantsof God,in muchendurance,in afflictions,in hardships,in distresses,
But you will be calledthe priestsof the LORD;You will be spokenof [as] ministersof our God.You will eatthe wealthof nations,And in their richesyou will boast.
The grain offeringand the drinkofferingare cutoffFrom the houseof the LORD.The priestsmourn,The ministersof the LORD.
Let the priests,the LORD'Sministers,Weepbetweenthe porchand the altar,And let them say,"SpareYour people,O LORD,And do not makeYour inheritancea reproach,A bywordamong the nations.Whyshould they among the peoplessay,Whereis their God?'"
"By your enduranceyou will gainyour lives.
"These thingsI have spokento you, sothat in Me you may havepeace.In the worldyou havetribulation,but take courage;I have overcomethe world."
"Menof Israel,listento thesewords:Jesusthe Nazarene,a manattestedto you by Godwith miraclesand wondersand signswhichGodperformedthroughHim in your midst,justas you yourselvesknow--
"You yourselvesknowthat thesehandsministeredto my [own] needsand to the men who were with me.
for I will showhim how muchhe mustsufferfor My name'ssake."
For he who in this[way] servesChristis acceptableto Godand approvedby men.
GreetApelles,the approvedin Christ.Greetthosewhoare of the [household] of Aristobulus.
But ifour unrighteousnessdemonstratesthe righteousnessof God,whatshall we say?The Godwho inflictswrathis not unrighteous,is He? (I am speakingin humanterms.)
But GoddemonstratesHis ownlovetowardus, in that while we were yetsinners,Christdiedfor us.
Whatthenis Apollos?And whatis Paul?Servantsthroughwhomyou believed,evenas the Lordgave[opportunity] to each one.
Let a manregardus in this manner,as servantsof Christand stewardsof the mysteriesof God.
Ifwe sowedspiritual thingsin you, is it too muchifwe reapmaterial thingsfrom you?
Are they servantsof Christ?--I speakas if insane--I more so;in far morelabors,in far moreimprisonments,beatentimes without number,oftenin danger of death.
[I have been] in laborand hardship,throughmanysleepless nights,in hungerand thirst,oftenwithout food,in coldand exposure.
and when I was presentwith you and was in need,I was not a burdento anyone;for when the brethrencamefrom Macedoniathey fully suppliedmy need,and in everythingI keptmyselffrom being a burdento you, and will continueto do so.
ThereforeI am well contentwith weaknesses,with insults,with distresses,with persecutions,with difficulties,for Christ'ssake;for whenI am weak,thenI amstrong.
The signsof a true apostlewere performedamongyou with allperseverance,by signsand wondersand miracles.
For we are not likemany,peddlingthe wordof God,but as from sincerity,but as from God,we speakin Christin the sightof God.
whoalsomade us adequate[as] servantsof a newcovenant,not of the letterbut of the Spirit;for the letterkills,but the Spiritgives life.
For momentary,lightafflictionis producingfor us an eternalweightof gloryfarbeyondall comparison,
but we have renouncedthe things hiddenbecause of shame,not walkingin craftinessoradulteratingthe wordof God,but by the manifestationof truthcommendingourselvesto everyman'sconsciencein the sightof God.
[we are] afflictedin every way,but not crushed;perplexed,but not despairing;
For beholdwhatearnestnessthisvery thing,thisgodlysorrow,has producedin you: whatvindicationof yourselves, whatindignation,whatfear,whatlonging,whatzeal,whatavenging of wrong!In everythingyou demonstratedyourselvesto be innocentin the matter.
strengthenedwith allpower,accordingto His gloriousmight,for the attaining of allsteadfastnessand patience;joyously
NowI rejoicein my sufferingsfor your sake,and in my fleshI do my shareon behalfof His body,whichis the church,in fillingup whatis lackingin Christ'safflictions.
for thisreason,brethren,in allour distressand afflictionwe were comfortedaboutyou throughyour faith;
We urgeyou, brethren,admonishthe unruly,encouragethe fainthearted,helpthe weak,be patientwith everyone.
But [women] will be preservedthroughthe bearing of childrenifthey continuein faithand loveand sanctitywith self-restraint.
In pointingout these thingsto the brethren,you will be a goodservantof ChristJesus,[constantly] nourishedon the wordsof the faithand of the sounddoctrinewhichyou have been following.
But fleefrom these things,you manof God,and pursuerighteousness,godliness,faith,love,perseverance[and] gentleness.
Thereforedo not be ashamedof the testimonyof our Lordorof me His prisoner,but join with [me] in sufferingfor the gospelaccordingto the powerof God,
The Lord'sbond-servantmustnot be quarrelsome,but be kindto all,able to teach,patient when wronged,
But you, be soberin all things,endure hardship,dothe workof an evangelist,fulfillyour ministry.
Therefore,since we haveso greata cloudof witnessessurroundingus, let us alsolay asideeveryencumbranceand the sinwhich so easily entanglesus, and let us runwith endurancethe racethat is set beforeus,
I, John,your brotherand fellow partakerin the tribulationand kingdomand perseverance[which are] in Jesus,was on the islandcalledPatmosbecauseof the wordof Godand the testimonyof Jesus.
Becauseyou have keptthe wordof My perseverance,I alsowill keepyou from the hourof testing,that [hour] which is aboutto comeupon the wholeworld,to testthosewho dwellon the earth.
