²⁰ But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.^(A)

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you,^(C) persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.^{(D) 12} Rejoice and be glad,^(E) because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.^(F)

⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?^(A) Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you,^(A) brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,^(B) holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform^(C) to the pattern of this world,^(D) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.^(E) Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is^(F)—his good, pleasing^(G) and perfect will.

¹¹ To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.^(A)

¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?^{(A) 14} But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.^(B) “Do not fear their threats^[a]; do not be frightened.”^[b](C)

¹⁴ If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,^(A) you are blessed,^(B) for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶ However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.^(C)