Psalm 68:4-10

New International Version

⁴Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,^(A)
    extol him who rides on the clouds^[a]^(B);
    rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.^(C)
⁵A father to the fatherless,^(D) a defender of widows,^(E)
    is God in his holy dwelling.^(F)
⁶God sets the lonely^(G) in families,^[b]^(H)
    he leads out the prisoners^(I) with singing;
    but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.^(J)

⁷When you, God, went out^(K) before your people,
    when you marched through the wilderness,^[c]^(L)
⁸the earth shook,^(M) the heavens poured down rain,^(N)
    before God, the One of Sinai,^(O)
    before God, the God of Israel.^(P)
⁹You gave abundant showers,^(Q) O God;
    you refreshed your weary inheritance.
¹⁰Your people settled in it,
    and from your bounty,^(R) God, you provided^(S) for the poor.

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Footnotes

Psalm 68:4 Or name, / prepare the way for him who rides through the deserts
Psalm 68:6 Or the desolate in a homeland
Psalm 68:7 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 19 and 32.

1 Peter 4:10-12

New International Version

¹⁰Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,^(A) as faithful^(B) stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.^(C) If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides,^(D) so that in all things God may be praised^(E) through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.^(F)

Suffering for Being a Christian

¹²Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you^(G) to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

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1 Peter 5:5-11

New International Version

⁵In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves^(A) to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility^(B) toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”^[a]^(C)

⁶Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.^(D) ⁷Cast all your anxiety on him^(E) because he cares for you.^(F)

⁸Be alert and of sober mind.^(G) Your enemy the devil prowls around^(H) like a roaring lion^(I) looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him,^(J) standing firm in the faith,^(K) because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.^(L)

¹⁰And the God of all grace, who called you^(M) to his eternal glory^(N) in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,^(O) will himself restore you and make you strong,^(P) firm and steadfast. ¹¹To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.^(Q)