²⁹ For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ but of suffering for him as well,^(A)

⁴¹ As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.^(A)

¹³ But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.^(A)

Faith and Wisdom

² My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy,^(A)

³ And not only that, but we^[a] also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance,^(A)

²² There they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.”^(A)

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely^[a] on my account.^{(A) 12} Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.^(B)

⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—

⁴⁴ No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me, and I will raise that person up on the last day.^{(A) 45} It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.^(B)

¹⁷ Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.^{[a](A) 18} In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave birth to us by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.^(B)