¹⁶ Yet ^(A)if anyone suffers as a ^(B)Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God ^(C)in that name.

¹⁷ For ^(A)it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

¹⁸ For Christ also ^(B)suffered^{[a] (C)}once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, ^(D)that he might bring us to God, being put to death ^(E)in the flesh but made alive ^(F)in the spirit,

Testing of Your Faith

^2 (A)Count it all joy, my brothers,^[a] when you meet trials ^(B)of various kinds, ³ for you know that ^(C)the testing of your faith ^(D)produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be ^(E)perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

²⁹ For ^(A)it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also ^(B)suffer for his sake,

¹⁹ Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will ^(A)entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

^12 (A)which is why I suffer as I do. But ^(B)I am not ashamed, for ^(C)I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until ^(D)that day ^(E)what has been entrusted to me.^[a]

⁴¹ Then they left the presence of the council, ^(A)rejoicing that they were counted worthy ^(B)to suffer dishonor for ^(C)the name.

²⁰ as it is my eager expectation and hope ^(A)that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full ^(B)courage now as always Christ ^(C)will be honored in my body, ^(D)whether by life or by death.

¹³ So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering ^(A)for you, ^(B)which is your glory.

Prayer for Spiritual Strength

¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom ^(C)every family^[a] in heaven and on earth is named,