² Remember how the Lord your God led^(A) you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test^(B) you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

³ because you know that the testing of your faith^(A) produces perseverance.^(B)

⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness^(A) of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire^(B)—may result in praise, glory and honor^(C) when Jesus Christ is revealed.^(D)

¹⁶ He gave you manna^(A) to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known,^(B) to humble and test^(C) you so that in the end it might go well with you.

⁴ Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven^(A) for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test^(B) them and see whether they will follow my instructions.

⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves^(A) to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility^(B) toward one another, because,

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.^(D)

⁷ The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched^(A) over your journey through this vast wilderness.^(B) These forty years^(C) the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.^(D)

² But who can endure^(A) the day of his coming?^(B) Who can stand^(C) when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire^(D) or a launderer’s soap.^{(E) 3} He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver;^(F) he will purify^(G) the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.^(H) Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,^(I)

³¹ But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon^(A) to ask him about the miraculous sign^(B) that had occurred in the land, God left him to test^(C) him and to know everything that was in his heart.