Trials and Temptations

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,^{(A) 3} because you know that the testing of your faith^(B) produces perseverance.^{(C) 4} Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature^(D) and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,^(E) who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.^{(F) 6} But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,^(G) because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded^(H) and unstable^(I) in all they do.

²² The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods.^{(A) 23} After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer^(B) was commanded to guard them carefully. ²⁴ When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.^(C)

²⁵ About midnight^(D) Paul and Silas^(E) were praying and singing hymns^(F) to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.^(G) At once all the prison doors flew open,^(H) and everyone’s chains came loose.^{(I) 27} The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.^{(J) 28} But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

²⁹ The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.^{(K) 30} He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”^(L)

³¹ They replied, “Believe^(M) in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved^(N)—you and your household.”^{(O) 32} Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. ³³ At that hour of the night^(P) the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.^{(Q) 34} The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he^(R) was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances;^(A) for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.