³¹ “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked^(A) to sift all of you as wheat.^(B)

Suffering for Being a Christian

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you^(A) to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

¹⁰ Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets^(A) who spoke in the name of the Lord.

¹¹ As you know, we count as blessed^(A) those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance^(B) and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.^(C) The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.^(D)

⁸ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job?^(A) There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God^(B) and shuns evil.”^(C)

¹² The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has^(A) is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”^(B)

Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

²⁰ Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’^[a](A) If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.^(B) If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice in heaven^(A) say: