^2 (A)Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter ^(B)various ^[a]trials, ³ knowing that ^(C)the testing of your ^(D)faith produces ^[b](E)endurance. ⁴ And let ^[c](F)endurance have its perfect ^[d]result, so that you may be ^[e](G)perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

⁵ But if any of you ^(H)lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and ^[f]without reproach, and ^(I)it will be given to him. ⁶ But he must ^(J)ask in faith ^(K)without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, ^(L)driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,

^12 (A)Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has ^[a]been approved, he will receive ^(B)the crown of life which the Lord ^(C)has promised to those who ^(D)love Him. ¹³ No one is to say when he is tempted, “^(E)I am being tempted ^[b]by God”; for God cannot be tempted ^[c]by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. ¹⁵ Then ^(F)when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and ^(G)sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. ^16 (H)Do not be ^[d]deceived, ^(I)my beloved brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good thing given and every perfect gift is ^(J)from above, coming down from ^(K)the Father of lights, ^(L)with whom there is no variation or ^[e]shifting shadow. ¹⁸ In the exercise of ^(M)His will He ^(N)gave us birth by ^(O)the word of truth, so that we would be ^[f]a kind of ^(P)first fruits ^[g]among His creatures.

Share the Sufferings of Christ

^12 (A)Beloved, do not be surprised at the ^(B)fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; ¹³ but to the degree that you ^(C)share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the ^(D)revelation of His glory ^(E)you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted ^[a](F)for the name of Christ, ^(G)you are blessed, ^(H)because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you. ¹⁵ Make sure that ^(I)none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a ^[b](J)troublesome meddler; ¹⁶ but if anyone suffers as a ^(K)Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to ^(L)glorify God in this name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment ^(M)to begin ^[c]with ^(N)the household of God; and if it ^(O)begins ^[d]with us first, what will be the outcome for those ^(P)who do not obey the ^(Q)gospel of God? ^18 (R)And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, ^[e]what will become of the ^(S)godless man and the sinner? ¹⁹ Therefore, those also who suffer according to ^(T)the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, ^(A)be strong in the Lord and in ^(B)the strength of His might. ^11 (C)Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the ^(D)schemes of the devil. ¹² For our ^(E)struggle is not against ^[a](F)flesh and blood, but ^(G)against the rulers, against the powers, against the ^(H)world forces of this ^(I)darkness, against the ^(J)spiritual forces of wickedness in ^(K)the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore, take up ^(L)the full armor of God, so that you will be able to ^(M)resist on ^(N)the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand firm therefore, ^(O)having belted your waist with truth, and having ^(P)put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having ^(Q)strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; ^16 [b]in addition to all, taking up the ^(R)shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the ^(S)flaming arrows of ^(T)the evil one. ¹⁷ And take ^(U)the helmet of salvation and the ^(V)sword of the Spirit, which is ^(W)the word of God.

^18 [c]With every ^(X)prayer and request, ^[d](Y)pray at all times ^(Z)in the Spirit, and with this in view, ^[e](AA)be alert with all ^(AB)perseverance and every ^(AC)request for all the ^[f]saints,