³ He will sit ^(A)as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring ^(B)offerings in righteousness to the Lord.^[a]

Suffering as a Christian

¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at ^(A)the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

⁷ so that ^(A)the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes ^(B)though it is tested by ^(C)fire—may be found to result in ^(D)praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

⁶ Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

⁷ And at the end of four^[a] years Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the Lord, in Hebron. ⁸ For your servant ^(A)vowed a vow ^(B)while I lived at Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘If the Lord will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will offer worship to^[b] the Lord.’” ⁹ The king said to him, ^(C)“Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron. ¹⁰ But Absalom sent secret messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then say, ‘Absalom is king at Hebron!’” ¹¹ With Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem ^(D)who were invited guests, and they went in their innocence and knew nothing. ¹² And while Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for^{[c] (E)}Ahithophel the Gilonite, ^(F)David's counselor, from his city ^(G)Giloh. And the conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom ^(H)kept increasing.