Acts 14:22 - Easy To Read Version In those cities Paul and Barnabas made the followers \{of Jesus\} stronger. They helped them to stay in the faith. Paul and Barnabas said, “We must suffer many things on our way into God’s kingdom.” Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition Establishing and strengthening the souls and the hearts of the disciples, urging and warning and encouraging them to stand firm in the faith, and [telling them] that it is through many hardships and tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. American Standard Version (1901) confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God. Common English Bible they strengthened the disciples and urged them to remain firm in the faith. They told them, “If we are to enter God’s kingdom, we must pass through many troubles.” Catholic Public Domain Version And when they had established priests for them in each church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, in whom they believed. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version And when they had ordained to them priests in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, in whom they believed. |
If a person will not accept the cross (suffering) that will be given to him when he follows me, then that person is not good enough for me.
Then Jesus said to his followers, “If any person wants to follow me, he must say ‘No’ to the things he wants. That person must accept the cross (suffering) that is given to him, and he must follow me.
Yes, I tell you that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
will get a hundred times more than he left. Here in this world that person will get more homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and farms. And with those things, that person will have persecutions. {\cf2\super [130]} But he will also have a reward in the world that is coming. That reward is life forever.
If your eye makes you sin, take it out. It is better for you to have only one eye but have life forever. That is much better than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell.
The prophets said that the Christ {\cf2\super [392]} must suffer these things before he enters his glory.”
Remember the lesson I told you: A servant is not greater than his master. If people did wrong to me, then they will do wrong to you too. And if people obeyed my teaching, then they will obey yours too.
“I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”
But Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth. A person must be born from water and the Spirit. {\cf2\super [47]} If a person is not born from water and the Spirit, then he cannot enter God’s kingdom.
When he found Saul, Barnabas brought him to Antioch. Saul and Barnabas stayed there a whole year. Every time the group of believers came together, Saul and Barnabas met with them and taught many people. In Antioch the followers \{of Jesus\} were called “Christians” for the first time.
The believers decided that they would all try to help their brothers and sisters who lived in Judea. Each believer planned to send them as much as he could.
After the meeting, many of the Jews followed Paul and Barnabas from that place. With the Jews there were many converts {\cf2\super [275]} to the Jewish religion. These converts also worshiped the true God. Paul and Barnabas were persuading them to continue trusting in God’s grace (kindness).
The followers \{of Jesus\} gathered around Paul and he got up and went back into the town. The next day, he and Barnabas left and went to the city of Derbe.
Paul and Barnabas stayed there a long time with the followers \{of Christ {\cf2\super [295]} \}.
Judas and Silas were also prophets. {\cf2\super [321]} They said many things to help the brothers (believers) and make them stronger.
Paul and Silas went through the countries of Syria and Cilicia, helping the churches {\cf2\super [326]} grow stronger.
Paul stayed in Antioch for a while. Then he left Antioch and went through the countries of Galatia and Phrygia. Paul traveled from town to town in these countries. He made all the followers \{of Jesus\} stronger.
The word of God was reaching more and more people. The group of followers in Jerusalem became larger and larger. Even a big group of Jewish priests believed and obeyed.
If we are God’s children, then we will get the blessings God has for his people. We will get these things from God. God will give us all that he has given Christ. But we must suffer like Christ suffered. Then we will be able to share his glory.
Jesus will keep you strong always until the end. He will keep you strong, so that there will be no wrong in you on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
God gave you the honor of believing in Christ. But that is not all. God also gave you the honor of suffering for Christ. Both these things bring glory to Christ.
Christ will do this if you continue to believe in the Good News {\cf2\super [7]} you heard. You must continue strong and sure in your faith. You must not be moved away from the hope that Good News gave you. That same Good News has been told to all people in the world. I, Paul, help in telling that Good News.
We pray this so that your hearts will be made strong. Then you will be holy {\cf2\super [11]} and without fault before our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy people.
So don’t be ashamed to tell people about our Lord \{Jesus\}. And don’t be ashamed of me—I am in prison for the Lord. But suffer with me for the Good News. {\cf2\super [5]} God gives us the strength to do that.
Every person who wants to live the way God wants, in Christ Jesus, will be persecuted.
That is what you were called to do. Christ gave you an example to follow. You should do the same as he did. \{You should be patient when you suffer,\} because Christ suffered for you.
Yes, you will suffer for a short time. But after that, God will make everything right. He will make you strong. He will support you and keep you from falling. He is the God that gives all grace (kindness). He called you to share in his glory in Christ. That glory will continue forever.
Refuse to follow the devil. Stand strong in your faith. You know that your brothers and sisters all over the world are having the same sufferings that you have.
And you will be given a very great welcome into the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That kingdom continues forever.
I am John, and I am your brother \{in Christ\}. We are together in Jesus, and we share these things: suffering, the kingdom, and patient endurance. I was on the island of Patmos {\cf2\super [7]} because I was faithful to God’s message {\cf2\super [8]} and to the truth of Jesus.
Don’t be afraid of the things that will happen to you. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison. He will do this to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But be faithful, even if you have to die. If you continue faithful, then I will give you the crown of life.