For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—

For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.

If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;

But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.

Approving

but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

As

who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in

far more labors, in

far more imprisonments,

beaten times without number, often in danger of death.

But you will be called the priests of the Lord;
You will be spoken of as ministers of our God.
You will eat the wealth of nations,
And in their riches you will boast.

The grain offering and the drink offering are cut off
From the house of the Lord.
The priests mourn,
The ministers of the Lord.

Let the priests, the Lord’s ministers,
Weep between the porch and the altar,
And let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord,
And do not make Your inheritance a reproach,
A byword among the nations.
Why should they among the peoples say,
‘Where is their God?’”

What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one.

Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,

In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the

sound doctrine which you have been following.

In much

The

signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.

By your endurance you will gain your lives.

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously

We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.

I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and

perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of

testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole

world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Afflictions

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,

except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.

so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,

persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!

But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Necessities

and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so.

Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me.

To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless;

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be

content in whatever circumstances I am.

Distresses

we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith;

General references

I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling,