⁷ In great fear^(A) and distress^(B) Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups,^[a](C) and the flocks and herds and camels as well.

³ Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God,^(A) who answered me in the day of my distress^(B) and who has been with me wherever I have gone.^(C)”

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

⁸ We do not want you to be uninformed,^(A) brothers and sisters,^[a] about the troubles we experienced^(B) in the province of Asia.^(C) We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. ⁹ Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God,^(D) who raises the dead.^{(E) 10} He has delivered us from such a deadly peril,^(F) and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope^(G) that he will continue to deliver us,

⁴ who comforts us^(A) in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.