¹⁸ Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.^{(A) 19} But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?^(B) You be the judges! ²⁰ As for us, we cannot help speaking^(C) about what we have seen and heard.”^(D)

¹⁵ But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument^(A) to proclaim my name to the Gentiles^(B) and their kings^(C) and to the people of Israel. ¹⁶ I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”^(D)

¹⁰ We are fools for Christ,^(A) but you are so wise in Christ!^(B) We are weak, but you are strong!^(C) You are honored, we are dishonored! ¹¹ To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.^{(D) 12} We work hard with our own hands.^(E) When we are cursed, we bless;^(F) when we are persecuted,^(G) we endure it; ¹³ when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage^(H) of the world—right up to this moment.

Paul’s Labor for the Church

²⁴ Now I rejoice^(A) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,^(B) for the sake of his body, which is the church.^(C)

¹³ But rejoice^(A) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,^(B) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.^{(C) 14} If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,^(D) you are blessed,^(E) for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.