Suffering as a Christian

¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

⁶ In this you rejoice,^[a] even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials,^{(A) 7} so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.^(B)

¹² Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.^(A)

⁹ Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.^(A)

² and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker^[a] in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the sake of your faith,^{(A) 3} so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions. Indeed, you yourselves know that this is what we are destined for.^{(B) 4} In fact, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were to suffer persecution; so it turned out, as you know.

³⁵ Some of the wise shall fall, so that they may be refined, purified, and cleansed,^[a] until the time of the end, for there is still an interval until the time appointed.^(A)

¹³ No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.^(A)

¹³ the work of each builder will become visible, for the day^[a] will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done.^(A)

⁴ They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme.^[a](A)