¹⁴ And this ^(A)gospel of the kingdom ^(B)will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

The Thorn in the Flesh

⁷ And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a ^(A)thorn in the flesh was given to me, ^(B)a messenger of Satan to ^[a]buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. ^8 (C)Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly ^(D)I will rather boast in my infirmities, ^(E)that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed, ^(A)whom the Lord will consume ^(B)with the breath of His mouth and destroy ^(C)with the brightness of His coming.

Suffering for God’s Glory

¹² Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice ^(A)to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that ^(B)when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ¹⁴ If you are ^[a]reproached for the name of Christ, ^(C)blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. ^[b]On their part He is blasphemed, ^(D)but on your part He is glorified. ¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a ^[c]busybody in other people’s matters. ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this ^[d]matter.

¹⁷ For the time has come ^(E)for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, ^(F)what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ Now

¹⁹ Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God ^(H)commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

The Persecuted Church

⁸ “And to the ^[a]angel of the church in Smyrna write,

‘These things says ^(A)the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: ⁹ “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are ^(B)rich); and I know the blasphemy of ^(C)those who say they are Jews and are not, ^(D)but are a ^[b]synagogue of Satan. ^10 (E)Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. ^(F)Be faithful until death, and I will give you ^(G)the crown of life.

^11 (H)“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by ^(I)the second death.” ’