Suffering for Being a Christian

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you^(A) to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice,^(A) though now for a little while^(B) you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.^{(C) 7} These have come so that the proven genuineness^(D) of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire^(E)—may result in praise, glory and honor^(F) when Jesus Christ is revealed.^(G)

⁹ Resist him,^(A) standing firm in the faith,^(B) because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.^(C)

² We sent Timothy,^(A) who is our brother and co-worker^(B) in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ,^(C) to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, ³ so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.^(D) For you know quite well that we are destined for them.^{(E) 4} In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.^(F)

¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,^(A)

³⁵ Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined,^(A) purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

¹³ No temptation^[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful;^(A) he will not let you be tempted^[b] beyond what you can bear.^(B) But when you are tempted,^[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

¹³ their work will be shown for what it is,^(A) because the Day^(B) will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.^(C)