²² You will be hated by everyone because of me,^(A) but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.^(B)

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you,^(C) persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.^{(D) 12} Rejoice and be glad,^(E) because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.^(F)

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. ¹³ But rejoice^(B) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,^(C) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.^{(D) 14} If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,^(E) you are blessed,^(F) for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶ However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.^(G)

¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.^(A) “Do not fear their threats^[a]; do not be frightened.”^[b](B)

¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch,^(A) Iconium^(B) and Lystra,^(C) the persecutions I endured.^(D) Yet the Lord rescued^(E) me from all of them.^{(F) 12} In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,^(G)

¹⁴ For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators^(A) of God’s churches in Judea,^(B) which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people^(C) the same things those churches suffered from the Jews ¹⁵ who killed the Lord Jesus^(D) and the prophets^(E) and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone

² They will put you out of the synagogue;^(A) in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.^(B)

¹⁹ For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.^{(A) 20} But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.^(B)