¹⁹ If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.^(A)

¹³ Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord^(A) from now on.”

“Yes,” says the Spirit,^(B) “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

²¹ Through him you believe in God,^(A) who raised him from the dead^(B) and glorified him,^(C) and so your faith and hope^(D) are in God.

¹² That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame,^(A) because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard^(B) what I have entrusted to him until that day.^(C)

⁹ For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die^(A) in the arena. We have been made a spectacle^(B) to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. ¹⁰ We are fools for Christ,^(C) but you are so wise in Christ!^(D) We are weak, but you are strong!^(E) 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.^{(F) 12} We work hard with our own hands.^(G) When we are cursed, we bless;^(H) when we are persecuted,^(I) we endure it; ¹³ when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage^(J) of the world—right up to this moment.