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Then they departed from
Bethel; but while they still had some distance to go on the way to
Ephrath, Rachel began to be in labor and to suffer great distress.
When her pangs were most severe, her midwife said to her,
"Have no fear! This time, too, you have a son." With her
last breath - for she was at the point of death-she called him
Ben-oni; his father, however, named him Benjamin. Thus Rachel
died; and she was buried on the road to Ephrath (that is,
Bethlehem). [GEN 35:16-19]
Before the famine years set in, Joseph became the father of two
sons, borne to him by Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of
Heliopolis. He named his first-born Manasseh, meaning, "God
has made me forget entirely the sufferings I endured at the hands
of my family"; and the second he named Ephraim, meaning,
"God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."
[GEN 41:50-52]
Their father Israel then told them: "If it must be so,
then do this: Put some of the land's best products in your baggage
and take them down to the man as gifts: some balm and honey, gum
and resin, and pistachios and almonds. Also take extra money
along, for you must return the amount that was put back in the
mouths of your bags; it may have been a mistake. Take your
brother, too, and be off on your way back to the man. May God
Almighty dispose the man to be merciful toward you, so that he may
let your other brother go, as well as Benjamin. As for me, if I am
to suffer bereavement, I shall suffer it." [GEN 43:11-14]
"Come closer to me," he told his brothers. When they
had done so, he said: "I am your brother Joseph, whom you
once sold into Egypt. But now do not be distressed, and do not
reproach yourselves for having sold me here. It was really for the
sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you. For two
years now the famine has been in the land, and for five more years
tillage will yield no harvest. God, therefore, sent me on ahead of
you to ensure for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives in
an extraordinary deliverance. So it was not really you but God who
had me come here; and he has made of me a father to Pharaoh, lord
of all his household, and ruler over the whole land of Egypt.
Hurry back, then, to my father and tell him: 'Thus says your son
Joseph: God has made me lord of all Egypt; come to me without
delay. You will settle in the region of Goshen, where you will be
near me - you and your children and grandchildren, your flocks and
herds, and everything that you own. Since five years of famine
still lie ahead, I will provide for you there, so that you and
your family and all that are yours may not suffer want.'" [GEN 45:4-11]
When the LORD saw him coming over to look at it more closely,
God called out to him from the bush, "Moses! Moses!" He
answered, "Here I am." God said, "Come no nearer!
Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand
is holy ground. I am the God of your father," he continued,
"the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of
Jacob." Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
But the LORD said, "I have witnessed the affliction of my
people in Egypt and have heard their cry of complaint against
their slave drivers, so I know well what they are suffering.
Therefore I have come down to rescue them from the hands of the
Egyptians and lead them out of that land into a good and spacious
land, a land flowing with milk and honey, the country of the
Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.
So indeed the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have
truly noted that the Egyptians are oppressing them. Come, now! I
will send you to Pharaoh to lead my people, the Israelites, out of
Egypt." [EX 3:4-10]
The LORD also said to Moses and Aaron: "How long will this
wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings
of the Israelites against me. Tell them: By my life, says the
LORD, I will do to you just what I have heard you say. Here in the
desert shall your dead bodies fall. Of all your men of twenty
years or more, registered in the census, who grumbled against me,
not one shall enter the land where I solemnly swore to settle you,
except Caleb, son of Jephunneh, and Joshua, son of Nun. Your
little ones, however, who you said would be taken as booty, I will
bring in, and they shall appreciate the land you spurned. But as
for you, your bodies shall fall here in the desert, here where
your children must wander for forty years, suffering for your
faithlessness, till the last of you lies dead in the desert. Forty
days you spent in scouting the land; forty years shall you suffer
for your crimes: one year for each day. Thus you will realize what
it means to oppose me. I, the LORD, have sworn to do this to all
this wicked community that conspired against me: here in the
desert they shall die to the last man." [NUM 14:26-35]
Moses said, "This is how you shall know that it was the
LORD who sent me to do all I have done, and that it was not I who
planned it: if these men die an ordinary death, merely suffering
the fate common to all mankind, then it was not the LORD who sent
me. But if the LORD does something entirely new, and the ground
opens its mouth and swallows them alive down into the nether
world, with all belonging to them, then you will know that these
men have defied the LORD." No sooner had he finished saying
all this than the ground beneath them split open, and the earth
opened its mouth and swallowed them and their families (and all of
Korah's men) and all their possessions. They went down alive to
the nether world with all belonging to them; the earth closed over
them, and they perished from the community.
[NUM 16:28-33]
Hearing the outcry of the men standing near him, Eli inquired,
"What does this commotion mean?" (Eli was ninety-eight
years old, and his eyes would not focus, so that he could not
see.) The man quickly came up to Eli and said, "It is I who
have come from the battlefield; I fled from there today." He
asked, "What happened, my son?" And the messenger
answered: "Israel fled from the Philistines; in fact, the
troops suffered heavy losses. Your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas,
are among the dead, and the ark of God has been captured." At
this mention of the ark of God, Eli fell backward from his chair
into the gateway; since he was an old man and heavy, he died of a
broken neck. He had judged Israel for forty years. [1SAM 4:14-18]
Then he said to me, 'Stand up to me, please, and finish me off,
for I am in great suffering, yet fully alive.' [2SAM 1:9]
Later David heard of it and said: "Before the LORD; I and
my kingdom are forever innocent. May the full responsibility for
the death of Abner, son of Ner, be laid to Joab and to all his
family. May the men of Joab's family never be without one
suffering from a discharge, or a leper, or one unmanly, one
falling by the sword, or one in need of bread!" [2SAM 3:28-29]
As David was approaching Bahurim, a man named Shimei, the son
of Gera of the same clan as Saul's family, was coming out of the
place, cursing as he came. He threw stones at David and at all the
king's officers, even though all the soldiers, including the royal
guard, were on David's right and on his left. Shimei was saying as
he cursed: "Away, away, you murderous and wicked man! The
LORD has requited you for all the bloodshed in the family of Saul,
in whose stead you became king, and the LORD has given over the
kingdom to your son Absalom. And now you suffer ruin because you
are a murderer." [2SAM 16:5-8]
When Elisha was suffering from the sickness of which he was to
die, King Joash of Israel went down to visit him. "My father,
my father!" he exclaimed, weeping over him. "Israel's
chariots and horsemen!" [2KGS 13:14]
After the Arameans had departed from him, leaving him in
grievous suffering, his servants conspired against him because of
the murder of the son of Jehoiada the priest. They killed him on
his sickbed. He was buried in the City of David, but not in the
tombs of the kings. [2CHRON 24:25]
A proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem that all the exiles should gather together in Jerusalem,
and that whoever failed to appear within three days would, according to the judgment of the leaders and elders, suffer the confiscation of all his possessions,
and himself be excluded from the assembly of the exiles. [EZRA 10:7-8]
While he was in the field supervising those who bound the
sheaves, he suffered sunstroke; and he died of this illness in
Bethulia, his native city. He was buried with his forefathers in
the field between Dothan and Balamon. [JDTH 8:3]
"I have come to see Holofernes, the general in chief of your
forces, to give him a trustworthy report; I will show him the
route by which he can ascend and take possession of the whole
mountain district without a single one of his men suffering injury
or loss of life." [Taken from JDTH 10:13]
"Woe to the nations that rise against my people! the Lord
Almighty will requite them; in the day of judgment he will punish
them: He will send fire and worms into their flesh, and they shall
burn and suffer forever." [JDTH 16:17]
Then Esther replied to Hathach and gave him this message for Mordecai: "All the servants of the king and the people of his provinces know that any man or woman who goes to the king in the inner court without being summoned, suffers the automatic penalty of death, unless the king extends to him the golden scepter, thus sparing his life. Now as for me, I have not been summoned to the king for thirty days."
[ESTH 4:10-11]
So Simon came to terms with them and did not destroy them. He
made them leave the city, however, and he purified the houses in
which there were idols. Then he entered the city with hymns and
songs of praise. After removing from it everything that was
impure, he settled there men who observed the law. He improved its
fortifications and built himself a residence. The men in the
citadel in Jerusalem were prevented from going out into the
country and back for the purchase of food; they suffered greatly
from hunger, and many of them died of starvation. They finally
cried out to Simon for peace, and he gave them peace. He expelled
them from the citadel and cleansed it of impurities. [1MACC 13:47-50]
Fearing that the king might think that Heliodorus had suffered
some foul play at the hands of the Jews, the high priest offered a
sacrifice for the man's recovery. [2MACC 3:32]
Menelaus, who was the cause of all the trouble, the king
acquitted of the charges, while he condemned to death those poor
men who would have been declared innocent even if they had pleaded
their case before Scythians. Thus, those who had prosecuted the
case for the city, for the people, and for the sacred vessels,
quickly suffered unjust punishment. [2MACC 4:47-48]
When he was about to die under the blows, he groaned and said: "The Lord in his holy knowledge knows full well that, although I could have escaped death, I am not only enduring terrible pain in my body from this scourging, but also suffering it with joy in my soul because of my devotion to him."
This is how he died, leaving in his death a model of courage and an unforgettable example of virtue not only for the young but for the whole nation.
[2MACC 6:30-31]
Answering in the language of his forefathers, he said,
"Never!" So he too in turn suffered the same tortures as
the first. At the point of death he said: "You accursed
fiend, you are depriving us of this present life, but the King of
the world will raise us up to live again forever. It is for his
laws that we are dying." After him the third suffered their
cruel sport. He put out his tongue at once when told to do so, and
bravely held out his hands, as he spoke these noble words:
"It was from Heaven that I received these; for the sake of
his laws I disdain them; from him I hope to receive them
again." Even the king and his attendants marveled at the
young man's courage, because he regarded his sufferings as
nothing. After he had died, they tortured and maltreated the
fourth brother in the same way. When he was near death, he said,
"It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the
God-given hope of being restored to life by him; but for you,
there will be no resurrection to life." They next brought
forward the fifth brother and maltreated him. Looking at the king,
he said: "Since you have power among men, mortal though you
are, do what you please. But do not think that our nation is
forsaken by God. Only wait, and you will see how his great power
will torment you and your descendants." After him they
brought the sixth brother. When he was about to die, he said:
"Have no vain illusions. We suffer these things on our own
account, because we have sinned against our God; that is why such
astonishing things have happened to us. Do not think, then, that
you will go unpunished for having dared to fight against
God." Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance
was the mother, who saw her seven sons perish in a single day, yet
bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord.
[2MACC 7:8-20]
Antiochus, suspecting insult in her words, thought he was being
ridiculed. As the youngest brother was still alive, the king
appealed to him, not with mere words, but with promises on oath,
to make him rich and happy if he would abandon his ancestral
customs: he would make him his Friend and entrust him with high
office. When the youth paid no attention to him at all, the king
appealed to the mother, urging her to advise her boy to save his
life. After he had urged her for a long time, she went through the
motions of persuading her son. In derision of the cruel tyrant,
she leaned over close to her son and said in their native
language: "Son, have pity on me, who carried you in my womb
for nine months, nursed you for three years, brought you up,
educated and supported you to your present age. I beg you, child,
to look at the heavens and the earth and see all that is in them;
then you will know that God did not make them out of existing
things; and in the same way the human race came into existence. Do
not be afraid of this executioner, but be worthy of your brothers
and accept death, so that in the time of mercy I may receive you
again with them." She had scarcely finished speaking when the
youth said: "What are you waiting for? I will not obey the
king's command. I obey the command of the law given to our
forefathers through Moses. But you, who have contrived every kind
of affliction for the Hebrews, will not escape the hands of God.
We, indeed, are suffering because of our sins. Though our living
Lord treats us harshly for a little while to correct us with
chastisements, he will again be reconciled with his servants. But
you, wretch, vilest of all men! do not, in your insolence, concern
yourself with unfounded hopes, as you raise your hand against the
children of Heaven. You have not yet escaped the judgment of the
almighty and all-seeing God. My brothers, after enduring brief
pain, have drunk of never-failing life, under God's covenant, but
you, by the judgment of God, shall receive just punishments for
your arrogance. Like my brothers, I offer up my body and my life
for our ancestral laws, imploring God to show mercy soon to our
nation, and by afflictions and blows to make you confess that he
alone is God. Through me and my brothers, may there be an end to
the wrath of the Almighty that has justly fallen on our whole
nation." At that, the king became enraged and treated him
even worse than the others, since he bitterly resented the boy's
contempt. Thus he too died undefiled, putting all his trust in the
Lord. The mother was last to die, after her sons.
[2MACC 7:24-41]
On his arrival in Ecbatana, he learned what had happened to Nicanor and to Timothy's forces.
Overcome with anger, he planned to make the Jews suffer for the injury done by those who had put him to flight. Therefore he ordered his charioteer to drive without stopping until he finished the journey. Yet the condemnation of Heaven rode with him, since he said in his arrogance, "I will make Jerusalem the common graveyard of the Jews as soon as I arrive there." [2MACC 9:3-4]
Besides all this, he would become a Jew himself and visit every inhabited place to proclaim there the power of God.
But since God's punishment had justly come upon him, his sufferings were not lessened, so he lost hope for himself
[Taken from 2MACC 9:17-18]
So this murderer and blasphemer, after extreme sufferings, such
as he had inflicted on others, died a miserable death in the
mountains of a foreign land. [2MACC 9:28]
But Lysias was not a stupid man. He reflected on the defeat he had suffered, and came to realize that the Hebrews were invincible because the mighty God was their ally. He therefore sent a message
persuading them to settle everything on just terms, and promising to persuade the king also, and to induce him to become their friend.
[2MACC 11:13-14]
Timothy himself fell into the hands of the men under Dositheus
and Sosipater; but with great cunning, he asked them to spare his
life and let him go, because he had in his power the parents and
relatives of many of them, and could make these suffer. [2MACC
12:24]
The king was advancing, his mind full of savage plans for
inflicting on the Jews worse things than those they suffered in
his father's time. When Judas learned of this, he urged the people
to call upon the LORD night and day, to help them now, if ever,
when they were about to be deprived of their law, their country,
and their holy temple; and not to allow this nation, which had
just begun to revive, to be subjected again to blasphemous
Gentiles. When they had all joined in doing this, and had implored
the merciful LORD continuously with weeping and fasting and
prostrations for three days, Judas encouraged them and told them
to stand ready. [2MACC 13:9-12]
Judas' brother Simon had engaged Nicanor, but because of the
sudden appearance of the enemy suffered a slight repulse. [2MACC
14:17]
Those who remained in the city suffered a like agony, anxious
as they were about the battle in the open country. [2MACC 15:19]
Now when three of Job's friends heard of all the misfortune
that had come upon him, they set out each one from his own place:
Eliphaz from Teman, Bildad from Shuh, and Zophar from Naamath.
They met and journeyed together to give him sympathy and comfort.
But when, at a distance, they lifted up their eyes and did not
recognize him, they began to weep aloud; they tore their cloaks
and threw dust upon their heads. Then they sat down upon the
ground with him seven days and seven nights, but none of them
spoke a word to him; for they saw how great was his suffering.
[JOB 2:11-13]
If I appealed to him and he answered my call, I could not
believe that he would hearken to my words; With a tempest he might
overwhelm me, and multiply my wounds without cause; He need
not suffer me to draw breath, but might fill me with bitter
griefs. If it be a question of strength, he is mighty; and if
of judgment, who will call him to account? [JOB 9:16-19]
By turning man from evil and keeping pride away from him,
He withholds his soul from the pit and his life from passing
to the grave. Or a man is chastened on his bed by pain and
unceasing suffering within his frame, So that to his appetite food
becomes repulsive, and his senses reject the choicest
nourishment. His flesh is wasted so that it cannot be
seen, and his bones, once invisible, appear; His soul draws
near to the pit, his life to the place of the dead. [JOB 33:17-22]
Put an end to my affliction and suffering; take away all my
sins. [PS 25:18]
How good God is to the upright, the Lord, to those who are
clean of heart! But, as for me, I lost my balance; my
feet all but slipped, Because I was envious of the
arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they
suffer no pain; their bodies are healthy and sleek. They are
free of the burdens of life; they are not afflicted like
others. Thus pride adorns them as a necklace; violence
clothes them as a robe. Out of their stupidity comes
sin; evil thoughts flood their hearts. They scoff and spout
their malice; from on high they utter threats. They set their
mouths against the heavens, their tongues roam the earth. So
my people turn to them and drink deeply of their words. They
say, "Does God really know?" "Does the Most
High have any knowledge?" Such, then, are the
wicked, always carefree, increasing their wealth. Is it
in vain that I have kept my heart clean, washed my hands in
innocence? For I am afflicted day after day, chastised every
morning. Had I thought, "I will speak as they
do," I would have betrayed your people. Though I tried
to understand all this, it was too difficult for me, Till I
entered the sanctuary of God and came to understand their
end. You set them, indeed, on a slippery road; you hurl
them down to ruin. How suddenly they are devastated; undone
by disasters forever! They are like a dream after waking,
Lord, dismissed like shadows when you arise. [PS 73:1-20]
But I cry out to you, LORD; in the morning my prayer comes
before you. Why do you reject me, LORD? Why hide your face
from me? I am mortally afflicted since youth; lifeless, I
suffer your terrible blows. Your wrath has swept over
me; your terrors have reduced me to silence. All the day they
surge round like a flood; from every side they close in on
me. Because of you companions shun me; my only friend is
darkness. [PS 88:14-19]
At the waters of Meribah they angered God, and Moses suffered because of them.
They so embittered his spirit that rash words crossed his lips. [PS
106:32-33]
When the just man eats, his hunger is appeased; but the belly
of the wicked suffers want. [PROV 13:25]
The scoundrel suffers the consequences of his ways, and the
good man reaps the fruit of his paths. [PROV 14:14]
He who loves pleasure will suffer want; he who loves wine and
perfume will not be rich. [PROV 21:17]
The shrewd man perceives evil and hides, while simpletons
continue on and suffer the penalty. [PROV 22:3]
The shrewd man perceives evil and hides; simpletons continue on
and suffer the penalty. [PROV 27:12]
He who gives to the poor suffers no want, but he who ignores
them gets many a curse. [PROV 28:27]
For in the things through which they suffered distress, since
they were tortured by the very things they deemed gods, They saw
and recognized the true God whom before they had refused to know;
with this, their final condemnation came upon them. [WISDOM 12:27]
For the dreams that disturbed them had proclaimed this
beforehand, lest they perish unaware of why they suffered ill.
[WISDOM 18:19]
And the punishments came upon the sinners only after forewarnings from the violence of the thunderbolts. For they
justly suffered for their own misdeeds, since indeed they treated
their guests with the more grievous hatred. [WISDOM 19:13]
A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is constantly on the lips of the unruly.
Better a thief than an inveterate liar, yet both will suffer disgrace;
A liar's way leads to dishonor, his shame remains ever with him.
[SIRACH 20:23-25]
A man who often swears heaps up obligations; the scourge will
never be far from his house. If he swears in error, he incurs
guilt; if he neglects his obligation, his sin is doubly great. If
he swears without reason he cannot be found just, and all his
house will suffer affliction. [SIRACH 23:11]
Worst of all sufferings is that from one's foes, worst of all
vengeance is that of one's enemies [Taken from SIRACH 25:13]
The vengeful will suffer the LORD'S vengeance, for he
remembers their sins in detail. Forgive your neighbor's
injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be
forgiven. Should a man nourish anger against his fellows and
expect healing from the LORD? Should a man refuse mercy to his
fellows, yet seek pardon for his own sins? If he who is but
flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins? Remember
your last days, set enmity aside; remember death and decay,
and cease from sin! [SIRACH 28:1-6]
A reprobate line are the children of sinners, and witless
offspring are in the homes of the wicked. Their dominion is lost
to sinners' children, and reproach abides with their descendants.
Children curse their wicked father, for they suffer disgrace
through him. [SIRACH 41:5-7]
Now hear this, voluptuous one, enthroned
securely, Saying to yourself, "I, and no one
else! I shall never be a widow, or suffer the loss of my
children" - Both these things shall come to
you suddenly, in a single day: Complete bereavement and
widowhood shall come upon you For your many
sorceries and the great number of your spells; Because you
felt secure in your wickedness, and said, "No one sees
me." Your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray,
And you said to yourself, "I, and no one else!" But
upon you shall come evil you will not know how to
predict; Disaster shall befall you which you cannot
allay. Suddenly there shall come upon you ruin which you will
not expect.
[ISA 47:8-11]
For the sake of my name I restrain my anger, for the sake
of my renown I hold it back from you, lest I should destroy
you. See, I have refined you like silver, tested you in the
furnace of affliction. For my sake, for my own sake, I do
this; why should I suffer profanation? My glory I will not
give to another. Listen to me, Jacob, Israel, whom I
named! I, it is I who am the first, and also the last am I. [ISA
48:9-12]
Who would believe what we have heard? To whom has the arm
of the LORD been revealed? He grew up like a sapling before
him, like a shoot from the parched earth; There was in
him no stately bearing to make us look at him, nor appearance
that would attract us to him. He was spurned and avoided by
men, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, One of
those from whom men hide their faces, spurned, and we held
him in no esteem. Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our
sufferings that he endured, While we thought of him as
stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted. But he was pierced
for our offenses, crushed for our sins, Upon him was the
chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were
healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his
own way; But the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all.
Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not
his mouth... Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away, and
who would have thought any more of his destiny? When he was
cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin
of his people, A grave was assigned him among the wicked and
a burial place with evildoers, Though he had done no
wrong nor spoken any falsehood. (But the LORD was
pleased to crush him in infirmity.) If he gives his life
as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a
long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished
through him. Because of his affliction he shall see the light
in fullness of days; Through his suffering, my servant shall
justify many, and their guilt he shall bear. Therefore I will
give him his portion among the great, and he shall divide the
spoils with the mighty, Because he surrendered himself to
death and was counted among the wicked; And he shall
take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their
offenses. [Taken from ISA 53:1-12]
My breast! my breast! how I suffer! The walls of my heart! My
heart beats wildly, I cannot be still; For I have heard the sound
of the trumpet, the alarm of war. [JER 4:19]
Tell me, LORD, have I not served you for their good? Have
I not interceded with you in the time of misfortune and
anguish? You know I have. Remember me, LORD, visit
me, and avenge me on my persecutors. Because of your
long-suffering banish me not; know that for you I have borne
insult. [JER 15:11,15]
"We will not listen to what you say in the name of the LORD. Rather will we continue doing what we had proposed; we will burn incense to the queen of heaven and pour out libations to her, as we and our fathers, our kings and princes have done in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem. Then we had enough food to eat and we were well off; we suffered no misfortune."
[Taken from JER 44:16-17]
"Come, all you who pass by the way, look and see Whether
there is any suffering like my suffering, which has been dealt me
When the LORD afflicted me on the day of his blazing wrath." [LAM
1:12]
"The LORD is just; I had defied his command. Listen, all
you peoples, and behold my suffering: My maidens and my youths
have gone into captivity." [LAM 1:18]
When he entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and
appealed to him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home
paralyzed, suffering dreadfully." He said to him, "I
will come and cure him." The centurion said in reply,
"Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only
say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a person
subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to
one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come here,' and he comes;
and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard
this, he was amazed and said to those following him, "Amen, I
say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to
you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline
with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of
heaven, but the children of the kingdom will be driven out into
the outer darkness, where there will be wailing and grinding of
teeth." And Jesus said to the centurion, "You may go; as
you have believed, let it be done for you." And at that very
hour (his) servant was healed. [MT 8:5-13]
A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind
him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself,
"If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured." Jesus
turned around and saw her, and said, "Courage, daughter! Your
faith has saved you." And from that hour the woman was cured.
[MT 9:20-22]
[Jesus said,] "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of
heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force."
[Taken from MT 11:12]
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he
must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief
priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be
raised. [MT 16:21]
Then the disciples asked him, "Why do the scribes say that
Elijah must come first?" He said in reply, "Elijah will
indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has
already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him
whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their
hands." Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to
them of John the Baptist. [MT 17:10-13]
When they came to the crowd a man approached, knelt down before
him, and said, "Lord, have pity on my son, for he is a
lunatic and suffers severely; often he falls into fire, and often
into water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not
cure him." Jesus said in reply, "O faithless and
perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I
endure you? Bring him here to me." Jesus rebuked him and the
demon came out of him, and from that hour the boy was cured. Then
the disciples approached Jesus in private and said, "Why
could we not drive it out?" He said to them, "Because of
your little faith. Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size
of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here
to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for
you." [MT 17:14-20]
Now on the occasion of the feast the governor was accustomed to
release to the crowd one prisoner whom they wished. And at that
time they had a notorious prisoner called (Jesus) Barabbas. So
when they had assembled, Pilate said to them, "Which one do
you want me to release to you, (Jesus) Barabbas, or Jesus called
Messiah?" For he knew that it was out of envy that they had
handed him over. While he was still seated on the bench, his wife
sent him a message, "Have nothing to do with that righteous
man. I suffered much in a dream today because of him." [MT
27:15-19]
There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had
spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew
worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the
crowd and touched his cloak. She said, "If I but touch his
clothes, I shall be cured." Immediately her flow of blood
dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her
affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my
clothes?" But his disciples said to him, "You see how
the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, 'Who touched
me?'" And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman,
realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and
trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole
truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction." [MK 5:25-34]
He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed, and rise after three days. [MK 8:31]
Then they asked him, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah
must come first?" He told them, "Elijah will indeed come
first and restore all things, yet how is it written regarding the
Son of Man that he must suffer greatly and be treated with
contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come and they did to him
whatever they pleased, as it is written of him." [MK 9:11-13]
The disciples of John told him about all these things. John
summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask,
"Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for
another?" When the men came to him, they said, "John the
Baptist has sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who is to
come, or should we look for another?'" At that time he cured
many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits; he also
granted sight to many who were blind. And he said to them in
reply, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the
blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the
deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news
proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at
me." [LK 7:18-23]
He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be
rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be
killed and on the third day be raised." Then he said to all,
"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and
take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save
his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will
save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet
lose or forfeit himself? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words,
the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his glory and
in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Truly I say to
you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until
they see the kingdom of God." [LK 9:22-27]
He said to them in reply, "Do you think that because these
Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all
other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not
repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people
who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them - do you
think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in
Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you
will all perish as they did!" [LK 13:2-5]
On a sabbath he went to dine at the home of one of the leading
Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. In
front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus spoke to
the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, "Is
it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?" But they kept
silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed
him. Then he said to them, "Who among you, if your son or ox
falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the
sabbath day?" But they were unable to answer his question. [LK
14:1-6]
"There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and
fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door
was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly
have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's
table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor
man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld,
where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far
off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, 'Father Abraham,
have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in
water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these
flames.' Abraham replied, 'My child, remember that you received
what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received
what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are
tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is
established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go
from our side to yours or from your side to ours.' He said, 'Then
I beg you, father, send him to my father's house, for I have five
brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this
place of torment.' But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the
prophets. Let them listen to them.' He said, 'Oh no, father
Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will
repent.' Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and
the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should
rise from the dead.'"
[LK 16:19-31]
Then he said to his disciples, "The days will come when
you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you
will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, 'Look,
there he is,' (or) 'Look, here he is.' Do not go off, do not run
in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky
from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be (in his
day). But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this
generation." [LK 17:22-25]
When the hour came, he took his place at table with the apostles. He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover
with you before I suffer, for, I tell you, I shall not eat it (again) until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God."
[LK 22:14-16]
And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer
these things and enter into his glory?"
[LK 24:25-26]
He said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you
while I was still with you, that everything written about me in
the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be
fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the
scriptures. And he said to them, "Thus it is written that the
Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and
that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in
his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are
witnesses of these things. And (behold) I am sending the promise
of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed
with power from on high."
[LK 24:44-49]
In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did
and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving
instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had
chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he
had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking
about the kingdom of God. [ACTS 1:1-3]
You who are Israelites, hear these words. Jesus the Nazorean
was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and
signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you
yourselves know. This man, delivered up by the set plan and
foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify
him. But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of
death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it. For
David says of him: 'I saw the Lord ever before me, with
him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. Therefore my heart
has been glad and my tongue has exulted; my flesh, too, will
dwell in hope, because you will not abandon my soul to the
netherworld, nor will you suffer your holy one to see
corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you
will fill me with joy in your presence.' My brothers, one can
confidently say to you about the patriarch David that he died and
was buried, and his tomb is in our midst to this day. But since he
was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he
would set one of his descendants upon his throne, he foresaw and
spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that neither was he
abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption. God
raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. [ACTS 2:22-32]
Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance, just as
your leaders did; but God has thus brought to fulfillment what he
had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets,
that his Messiah would suffer. Repent, therefore, and be
converted, that your sins may be wiped away, and that the Lord may
grant you times of refreshment and send you the Messiah already
appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the times
of universal restoration of which God spoke through the mouth of
his holy prophets from of old. For Moses said: 'A prophet like me
will the Lord, your God, raise up for you from among your own
kinsmen; to him you shall listen in all that he may say to
you. Everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be cut
off from the people.' [ACTS 3:17-23]
After recalling the apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Messiah, Jesus.
[ACTS 5:40-42]
There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord
said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He answered,
"Here I am, Lord." The Lord said to him, "Get up
and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas
for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is there praying, and (in a
vision) he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay (his)
hands on him, that he may regain his sight." But Ananias
replied, "Lord, I have heard from many sources about this
man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem.
And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all
who call upon your name." But the Lord said to him, "Go,
for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name
before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites, and I will show him what
he will have to suffer for my name." [ACTS 9:10-16]
"My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those
others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation
has been sent. The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders
failed to recognize him, and by condemning him they fulfilled the
oracles of the prophets that are read sabbath after sabbath. For
even though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked
Pilate to have him put to death, and when they had accomplished
all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree
and placed him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and
for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from
Galilee to Jerusalem. These are (now) his witnesses before the
people. We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you that
what God promised our ancestors he has brought to fulfillment for
us, (their) children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the
second psalm, 'You are my son; this day I have begotten you.' And
that he raised him from the dead never to return to corruption he
declared in this way, 'I shall give you the benefits assured to
David.' That is why he also says in another psalm, 'You will not
suffer your holy one to see corruption.' Now David, after he had
served the will of God in his lifetime, fell asleep, was gathered
to his ancestors, and did see corruption. But the one whom God
raised up did not see corruption. You must know, my brothers, that
through him forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you, (and)
in regard to everything from which you could not be justified
under the law of Moses, in him every believer is justified. Be
careful, then, that what was said in the prophets not come about:
'Look on, you scoffers, be amazed and disappear. For I
am doing a work in your days, a work that you will never
believe even if someone tells you.'"
[ACTS 13:26-41]
When they took the road through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they
reached Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
Following his usual custom, Paul joined them, and for three
sabbaths he entered into discussions with them from the
scriptures, expounding and demonstrating that the Messiah had to
suffer and rise from the dead, and that "This is the Messiah,
Jesus, whom I proclaim to you." Some of them were convinced
and joined Paul and Silas; so, too, a great number of Greeks who
were worshipers, and not a few of the prominent women. But the
Jews became jealous and recruited some worthless men loitering in
the public square, formed a mob, and set the city in turmoil. They
marched on the house of Jason, intending to bring them before the
people's assembly. [ACTS 17:1-5]
"And so, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the
heavenly vision. On the contrary, first to those in Damascus and
in Jerusalem and throughout the whole country of Judea, and then
to the Gentiles, I preached the need to repent and turn to God,
and to do works giving evidence of repentance. That is why the
Jews seized me (when I was) in the temple and tried to kill me.
But I have enjoyed God's help to this very day, and so I stand
here testifying to small and great alike, saying nothing different
from what the prophets and Moses foretold, that the Messiah must
suffer and that, as the first to rise from the dead, he would
proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles." [ACTS
26:19-23]
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into
fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry,
"Abba, Father!" The Spirit itself bears witness with our
spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs,
heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with
him so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the
sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the
glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager
expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation
was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of
the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be
set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious
freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is
groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we
ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan
within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our
bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself
is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for
what we do not see, we wait with endurance. In the same way, the
Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know
how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with
inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows
what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the
holy ones according to God's will. [ROM 8:14-27]
I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth.
Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is
anything, but only God, who causes the growth. The one who plants
and the one who waters are equal, and each will receive wages in
proportion to his labor. For we are God's co-workers; you are
God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given
to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another
is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds
upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that
is there, namely, Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this
foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or
straw, the work of each will come to light, for the Day will
disclose it. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire (itself)
will test the quality of each one's work. If the work stands that
someone built upon the foundation, that person will receive a
wage. But if someone's work is burned up, that one will suffer
loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire. [1COR 3:6-15]
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our ancestors
were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea, and all
of them were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. All
ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual
drink, for they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them,
and the rock was the Christ. Yet God was not pleased with most of
them, for they were struck down in the desert. These things
happened as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil
things, as they did. And do not become idolaters, as some of them
did, as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink,
and rose up to revel." Let us not indulge in immorality as
some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell within a single
day. Let us not test Christ as some of them did, and suffered
death by serpents. Do not grumble as some of them did, and
suffered death by the destroyer. These things happened to them as
an example, and they have been written down as a warning to us,
upon whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore, whoever thinks
he is standing secure should take care not to fall. No trial has
come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let
you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also
provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. [1COR 10:1-13]
As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of
the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one
Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks,
slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one
Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many. If a foot
should say, "Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the
body," it does not for this reason belong any less to the
body. Or if an ear should say, "Because I am not an eye I do
not belong to the body," it does not for this reason belong
any less to the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would
the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the
sense of smell be? But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of
them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where
would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one
body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need
you," nor again the head to the feet, "I do not need
you." Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker
are all the more necessary, and those parts of the body that we
consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our
less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, whereas
our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so
constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is
without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that
the parts may have the same concern for one another. If (one) part
suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all
the parts share its joy. [1COR 12:12-26]
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages
us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage
those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which
we ourselves are encouraged by God. For as Christ's sufferings
overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also
overflow. If we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and
salvation; if we are encouraged, it is for your encouragement,
which enables you to endure the same sufferings that we suffer.
Our hope for you is firm, for we know that as you share in the
sufferings, you also share in the encouragement. We do not want
you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction that came to us in
the province of Asia; we were utterly weighed down beyond our
strength, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, we had
accepted within ourselves the sentence of death, that we might
trust not in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. He rescued
us from such great danger of death, and he will continue to rescue
us; in him we have put our hope (that) he will also rescue us
again, as you help us with prayer, so that thanks may be given by
many on our behalf for the gift granted us through the prayers of
many. [2COR 1:3-11]
For even if I saddened you by my letter, I do not regret it;
and if I did regret it ((for) I see that that letter saddened you,
if only for a while), I rejoice now, not because you were
saddened, but because you were saddened into repentance; for you
were saddened in a godly way, so that you did not suffer loss in
anything because of us. For godly sorrow produces a salutary
repentance without regret, but worldly sorrow produces death. For
behold what earnestness this godly sorrow has produced for you, as
well as readiness for a defense, and indignation, and fear, and
yearning, and zeal, and punishment. In every way you have shown
yourselves to be innocent in the matter. So then even though I
wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong,
or on account of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that
your concern for us might be made plain to you in the sight of
God. For this reason we are encouraged. And besides our
encouragement, we rejoice even more because of the joy of
Titus, since his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. [2COR
7:8-13]
Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of
Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may
hear news of you, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with
one mind struggling together for the faith of the gospel, not
intimidated in any way by your opponents. This is proof to them of
destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God's doing. For
to you has been granted, for the sake of Christ, not only to
believe in him but also to suffer for him. Yours is the same
struggle as you saw in me and now hear about me. [PHIL 1:27-30]
(But) whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a
loss because of Christ. More than that, I even consider everything
as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my
Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I
consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found
in him, not having any righteousness of my own based on the law
but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness
from God, depending on faith to know him and the power of his
resurrection and (the) sharing of his sufferings by being
conformed to his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection
from the dead. [PHIL 3:7-11]
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I
am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on
behalf of his body, which is the church, of which I am a minister
in accordance with God's stewardship given to me to bring to
completion for you the word of God, the mystery hidden from ages
and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to his
holy ones, to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope
for glory. It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and
teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone
perfect in Christ. For this I labor and struggle, in accord with
the exercise of his power working within me. [COL 1:24-29]
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our reception among you was not without effect. Rather, after we had suffered and been insolently treated, as you know, in Philippi, we drew courage through our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much struggle.
[1THES 2:1-2]
For you, brothers, have become imitators of the churches of God
that are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you suffer the same things
from your compatriots as they did from the Jews, who killed both
the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted us; they do not
please God, and are opposed to everyone, trying to prevent us from
speaking to the Gentiles that they may be saved, thus constantly
filling up the measure of their sins. But the wrath of God has
finally begun to come upon them. [1THES 2:14-16]
Accordingly, we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God
regarding your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and
the afflictions you endure. This is evidence of the just judgment
of God, so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God
for which you are suffering. For it is surely just on God's part
to repay with afflictions those who are afflicting you, and to
grant rest along with us to you who are undergoing afflictions, at
the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his mighty
angels, in blazing fire, inflicting punishment on those who do not
acknowledge God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our
Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal ruin, separated
from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power,
when he comes to be glorified among his holy ones and to be
marveled at on that day among all who have believed, for our
testimony to you was believed. [2THES 1:4-10]
On this account I am suffering these things; but I am not
ashamed, for I know him in whom I have believed and am confident
that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that
day. [2TM 1:12]
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of
David: such is my gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the
point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not
chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those
who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is
in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is
trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live
with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with
him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are
unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny
himself. [2TM 2:8-13]
You have followed my teaching, way of life, purpose, faith,
patience, love, endurance, persecutions, and sufferings, such as
happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, persecutions that
I endured. Yet from all these things the Lord delivered me. In
fact, all who want to live religiously in Christ Jesus will be
persecuted. But wicked people and charlatans will go from bad to
worse, deceivers and deceived. [2TM 3:10-13]
For it was not to angels that he subjected the world to come,
of which we are speaking. Instead, someone has testified
somewhere: "What is man that you are mindful of him, or
the son of man that you care for him? You made him for a little
while lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor,
subjecting all things under his feet." In
"subjecting" all things (to him), he left nothing not
"subject to him." Yet at present we do not see
"all things subject to him," but we do see Jesus
"crowned with glory and honor" because he suffered
death, he who "for a little while" was made "lower
than the angels," that by the grace of God he might taste
death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and
through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory,
should make the leader to their salvation perfect through
suffering. He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated
all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them
"brothers," saying: "I will proclaim your name to
my brothers, in the midst of the assembly I will praise
you"; and again: "I will put my trust in him";
and again: "Behold, I and the children God has given
me." Now since the children share in blood and flesh, he
likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the
one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those
who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their
life. Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of
Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his brothers in every
way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before
God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was
tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are
being tested. [HEB 2:5-18]
In the days when he was in the flesh, he offered prayers and
supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to
save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and
when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal
salvation for all who obey him, declared by God high priest
according to the order of Melchizedek. [HEB 5:7-10]
For Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy
of the true one, but heaven itself, that he might now appear
before God on our behalf. Not that he might offer himself
repeatedly, as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary
with blood that is not his own; if that were so, he would have had
to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world. But now
once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away
sin by his sacrifice. Just as it is appointed that human beings
die once, and after this the judgment, so also Christ, offered
once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not
to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await
him. [HEB 9:24-28]
Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened,
you endured a great contest of suffering. At times you were
publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at other times you
associated yourselves with those so treated. You even joined in
the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the
confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and
lasting possession. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence;
it will have great recompense. You need endurance to do the will
of God and receive what he has promised. "For, after just a
brief moment, he who is to come shall come; he shall not delay.
But my just one shall live by faith, and if he draws back I take
no pleasure in him." [HEB 10:32-38]
Therefore, Jesus also suffered outside the gate, to consecrate the people by his own blood. Let us then go to him outside the camp, bearing the reproach that he bore.
For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the one that is to come.
[HEB 13:12-14]
Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in
good spirits? He should sing praise. [JMS 5:13]
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in
his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that
is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you
who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a
salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. In this
you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to
suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your
faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though
tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at
the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you
love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him,
you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain
the goal of (your) faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning
this salvation, prophets who prophesied about the grace that was
to be yours searched and investigated it, investigating the time
and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated
when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ
and the glories to follow them. It was revealed to them that they
were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that
have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news
to you (through) the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into
which angels longed to look. [1PT 1:3-12]
For whenever anyone bears the pain of unjust suffering because
of consciousness of God, that is a grace. But what credit is there
if you are patient when beaten for doing wrong? But if you are
patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace
before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also
suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in
his footsteps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found
in his mouth." When he was insulted, he returned no insult;
when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself
over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his
body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for
righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you had
gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd
and guardian of your souls. [1PT 2:19-25]
But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed
are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, but
sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an
explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but
do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience
clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good
conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. For it is better
to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for
doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous
for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God.
Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit. [1PT
3:14-18]
Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves
also with the same attitude (for whoever suffers in the flesh has
broken with sin), so as not to spend what remains of one's life in
the flesh on human desires, but on the will of God. For the time
that has passed is sufficient for doing what the Gentiles like to
do: living in debauchery, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies,
carousing, and wanton idolatry. They are surprised that you do not
plunge into the same swamp of profligacy, and they vilify you; but
they will give an account to him who stands ready to judge the
living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even
to the dead that, though condemned in the flesh in human
estimation, they might live in the spirit in the estimation of
God. The end of all things is at hand. Therefore, be serious and
sober for prayers. Above all, let your love for one another be
intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. [1PT 4:1-8]
Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring
among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But
rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ,
so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice
exultantly. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed
are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But
let no one among you be made to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an
evildoer, or as an intriguer. But whoever is made to suffer as a
Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the
name. For it is time for the judgment to begin with the household
of God; if it begins with us, how will it end for those who fail
to obey the gospel of God? "And if the righteous one is
barely saved, where will the godless and the sinner appear?"
As a result, those who suffer in accord with God's will hand their
souls over to a faithful creator as they do good. [1PT 4:12-19]
So I exhort the presbyters among you, as a fellow presbyter and
witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the
glory to be revealed. Tend the flock of God in your midst,
(overseeing) not by constraint but willingly, as God would have
it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. Do not lord it over those
assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief
Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of
glory. [1PT 5:1-4]
Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling
around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour. Resist
him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers
throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. The God of all
grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ (Jesus)
will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after
you have suffered a little. To him be dominion forever. Amen. [1PT
5:8-11]
"To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write this: 'The
one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the
midst of the seven gold lampstands says this: "I know your
works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot
tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves
apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors.
Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name, and
you have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: you have
lost the love you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen.
Repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come
to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you
repent."'" [Taken from RV 2:1-5]
"To the angel of the church in Smyrna, write this: 'The
first and the last, who once died but came to life, says this:
"I know your tribulation and poverty, but you are rich. I
know the slander of those who claim to be Jews and are not, but
rather are members of the assembly of Satan. Do not be afraid of
anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will
throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you
will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful until death, and
I will give you the crown of life. Whoever has ears ought to hear
what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor shall not be
harmed by the second death."'" [RV 2:8-11]
I have given her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her harlotry. So I will cast her on a sickbed and plunge those who
commit adultery with her into intense suffering unless they repent of her works.
[RV 2:21-22]
Also try:
afflict
/ afflicted / affliction [A1]
grief
[G10]
pain
/ pained / painful [P1]
punish
/ punishment / unpunished [P22]
sick
/ sickness [S16]
mourn
/ mourning [M7]
console
/ consolation / comfort [C8]
judgment
[J3a]
eternal
punishment / eternal destruction [H10a]
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