³ Not only so, but we^[a] also glory in our sufferings,^(A) because we know that suffering produces perseverance;^{(B) 4} perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope^(C) does not put us to shame, because God’s love^(D) has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,^(E) who has been given to us.

⁵ For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ,^(A) so also our comfort abounds through Christ. ⁶ If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation;^(B) if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. ⁷ And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings,^(C) so also you share in our comfort.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart.^(A) Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly^(B) we are being renewed^(C) day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.^{(D) 18} So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,^(E) since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

⁶ Even if I should choose to boast,^(A) I would not be a fool,^(B) because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, ⁷ or because of these surpassingly great revelations.^(C) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,^(D) a messenger of Satan,^(E) to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.^{(F) 9} But he said to me, “My grace^(G) is sufficient for you, for my power^(H) is made perfect in weakness.^(I)”^(J) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight^(K) in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,^(L) in persecutions,^(M) in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.^(N)

³³ Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution;^(A) at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.^{(B) 34} You suffered along with those in prison^(C) and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.^{(D) 35} So do not throw away your confidence;^(E) it will be richly rewarded.

Trials and Temptations

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,^{(A) 3} because you know that the testing of your faith^(B) produces perseverance.^{(C) 4} Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature^(D) and complete, not lacking anything.

⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice,^(A) though now for a little while^(B) you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.^{(C) 7} These have come so that the proven genuineness^(D) of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire^(E)—may result in praise, glory and honor^(F) when Jesus Christ is revealed.^(G)

Living for God

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body,^(A) arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.^{(B) 2} As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires,^(C) but rather for the will of God.