Readings for Lent and Easter

¹² My dear brothers, do not be surprised by the hard trouble like fire that comes to test you. Do not think some new thing is happening to you.

¹³ Be glad when you suffer as Christ did. Then you will also be very glad when he comes and you see how great he is.

¹⁴ Do men say wrong things about you because you are a Christian? Then you are blessed because the wonderful Spirit, the Spirit of God, is with you.

¹⁵ Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not do wrong. Do not try to boss other people. None of you should suffer because you have done these things.

¹⁶ But if a man suffers because he is a Christian, he should not be ashamed of it. He should praise God that he is a Christian.