Since we’re surrounded by such a huge cloud of witnesses, let’s throw off everything that weighs us down and any sin that gets in our way. Let’s keep on running the race on the course in front of us.
You’ve kept my command to remain strong in the faith no matter what happens, so I’m going to keep you from the time of suffering that the rest of the world is going to experience. That suffering will test those who live on the earth.
But hope that can be seen isn’t really hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we don’t have yet, we wait for it patiently.
I, John, am your brother and your partner in the suffering, the kingdom, and the patient endurance of Jesus. I was on the island of Patmos because of God’s word and the testimony of Jesus.
Whenever we pray to our God and Father, we remember the work that your faith produces, the service that’s the result of your love, and the strength to continue that comes from your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Are they serving Christ? I’m serving him even more. (I’m out of my mind to talk like this!) I’ve worked much harder. I’ve been in prison more often. I’ve suffered terrible beatings. Again and again I’ve almost died.
But the seed that fell on good soil stands for those who have good and honest hearts. Those people hear the message, keep it in their hearts, remain faithful, and produce a good crop.
Elders who lead the church well should be honored both with respect and with financial support. This is especially true of elders who preach and teach.
We didn’t eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, we worked night and day, laboring away so that we wouldn’t cause any expense to any of you.
Brothers and sisters, I’m sure you remember how hard we worked. We labored night and day while we preached God’s good news to you so that we wouldn’t cause you any expense.
And I urge you, my true companion, to help these women, because they’ve worked with me to spread the good news. So has Clement, and so have the rest of those who’ve worked together with me. Their names are all written in the book of life.
And I won’t brag about the work that others have done. If I did, I’d be bragging more than I should. I hope that my work among you will greatly increase as your faith continues to grow.
We don’t give up if we’re beaten or put in prison, or if people stir up trouble in the streets. We work hard and go without sleep or food if we have to.
A man from Cyrene named Simon (he’s the father of Alexander and Rufus) was coming in from the country. When he went past the soldiers who were leading Jesus away, they stopped him and forced him to carry the cross.