¹⁹ For this is ^(A)commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

^11 (B)Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of ^(C)evil against you falsely for My sake. ^12 (D)Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for ^(E)so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

²⁰ For ^(A)what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.

¹⁰ But ^(A)by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, ^(B)yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

^32 (A)“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

⁵ Therefore ^(A)you must be subject, not only because of wrath ^(B)but also for conscience’ sake.

^14 (A)But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. ^(B)“And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” ¹⁵ But ^[a]sanctify ^[b]the Lord God in your hearts, and always ^(C)be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the ^(D)hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; ^16 (E)having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. ¹⁷ For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Excel in Giving

8 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:

Paul’s Sincerity

¹² For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in ^[a]simplicity and ^(A)godly sincerity, ^(B)not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.