Instead, we make it clear that we serve God in every way. We serve him by standing firm in troubles, hard times and suffering.

反倒在各样的事上表明自己是神的用人，就如在许多的忍耐、患难、穷乏、困苦、

反倒在各样的事上表明自己是上帝的用人：就如在持久的忍耐、患难、困苦、灾难、

反倒在各样的事上表明自己是神的用人：就如在持久的忍耐、患难、困苦、灾难、

反倒在任何事上都显明自己是上帝的仆人。不论遭遇什么患难、艰苦、贫穷、

反而在各样的事上，表明自己是神的仆人，就如持久的忍耐、患难、贫乏、困苦、

反而在一切事上都证明自己是神的仆人：在极大的忍耐中，在各种患难、艰难、困苦中，

反倒在各樣的事上表明自己是神的用人，就如在許多的忍耐、患難、窮乏、困苦、

反倒在各樣的事上表明自己是上帝的用人：就如在持久的忍耐、患難、困苦、災難、

反倒在各樣的事上表明自己是神的用人：就如在持久的忍耐、患難、困苦、災難、

反倒在任何事上都顯明自己是上帝的僕人。不論遭遇什麼患難、艱苦、貧窮、

反而在各樣的事上，表明自己是神的僕人，就如持久的忍耐、患難、貧乏、困苦、

我們乃是在各樣事上證明自己作為上帝的僕役：用大堅忍、在苦難艱難困迫中、

反而在一切事上都證明自己是神的僕人：在極大的忍耐中，在各種患難、艱難、困苦中，

惟諸事自薦為上帝役、有若恆忍、患難、空乏、阨窮、

而以吾行事、自薦為上帝僕、有若多忍、患難、災害、阨窮、

乃諸事自表為天主之僕、即多忍、患難、窮乏、

故吾人立身處世、在在欲自表為天主之忠僕、事事堅忍；故患難也、匱乏也、困苦也、

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;

but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,

In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.

Instead, as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardships, by difficulties,

but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties,

But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,

but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

But as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardship, by difficulties,

But in all[ things] approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

But as God’s servants, we have commended ourselves in every way, with great endurance, in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses,

but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,

Because of how I suffered for Christ, I’m glad that I am weak. I am glad in hard times. I am glad when people say mean things about me. I am glad when things are difficult. And I am glad when people make me suffer. When I am weak, I am strong.

We are pushed hard from all sides. But we are not beaten down. We are bewildered. But that doesn’t make us lose hope.

And that’s not all. We are full of joy even when we suffer. We know that our suffering gives us the strength to go on.The strength to go on produces character. Character produces hope.

Who can separate us from Christ’s love? Can trouble or hard times or harm or hunger? Can nakedness or danger or war?It is written,“ Because of you, we face death all day long. We are considered as sheep to be killed.”( Psalm 44:22)

I have worked very hard. Often I have gone without sleep. I have been hungry and thirsty. Often I have gone without food. I have been cold and naked.

Up to this very hour we are hungry and thirsty. We are dressed in rags. We are being treated badly. We have no homes.We work hard with our own hands. When others curse us, we bless them. When we are attacked, we put up with it.

I’m not saying this because I need anything. I have learned to be content no matter what happens to me.I know what it’s like not to have what I need. I also know what it’s like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well fed or hungry. I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough.

After all, what is Apollos? And what is Paul? We are only people who serve. We helped you to believe. The Lord has given each of us our own work to do.

He has given us the power to serve under a new covenant. The covenant is not based on the written Law of Moses. It comes from the Holy Spirit. The written Law kills, but the Spirit gives life.

While I was with you, I kept on showing you the actions of a true apostle. These actions include signs, wonders and miracles.

Let the priests who serve the Lord weep. Let them cry between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say,“ Lord, spare your people. Don’t let others make fun of them. Don’t let the nations laugh at them. Don’t let them tease your people and say,‘ Where is their God?’ ”

Point out these things to the brothers and sisters. Then you will serve Christ Jesus well. You will show that you’ve grown in the truths of the faith. You will show that you’ve been trained by the good teaching you’ve obeyed.

We want you to be very strong, in keeping with his glorious power. We want you to be patient. We pray that you will never give up.

Look at what that godly sadness has produced in you. You are working hard to clear yourselves. You are angry and alarmed. You are longing to see me. You are concerned. You are ready to make sure that the right thing is done. In every way you have proved that you are not guilty in that matter.

But you know all about my teaching. You know how I live and what I live for. You know about my faith and love. You know how patient I am. You know I haven’t given up.You know that I was treated badly. You know that I suffered greatly. You know what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra. You know how badly I have been treated. But the Lord saved me from all my troubles.In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be treated badly.

The appeal we make is based on truth. It comes from a pure heart. We are not trying to trick you.In fact, it is just the opposite. God has approved us to preach. He has trusted us with the good news. We aren’t trying to please people. We want to please God. He tests our hearts.As you know, we never praised you if we didn’t mean it. We didn’t put on a mask to cover up any sinful desire. God is our witness that this is true.We were not expecting people to praise us. We were not looking for praise from you or anyone else. Yet as Christ’s apostles, we could have used our authority over you.Instead, we were like young children when we were with you. As a mother feeds and cares for her little children,we cared for you. We loved you so much. So we were happy to share with you God’s good news. We were also happy to share our lives with you.Brothers and sisters, I am sure you remember how hard we worked. We labored night and day while we preached to you God’s good news. We didn’t want to cause you any expense.You are witnesses of how we lived among you believers. God is also a witness that we were holy and godly and without blame.You know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children.

So don’t be ashamed of the message about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, his prisoner. Instead, join with me as I suffer for the good news. God’s power will help us do that.

A huge cloud of witnesses is all around us. So let us throw off everything that stands in our way. Let us throw off any sin that holds on to us so tightly. And let us keep on running the race marked out for us.

I, John, am a believer like you. I am a friend who suffers like you. As members of Jesus’ royal family, we can put up with anything that happens to us. I was on the island of Patmos because I taught God’s word and what Jesus said.

You will be called priests of the Lord. You will be named workers for our God. You will enjoy the wealth of nations. You will brag about getting their riches.

I am happy because of what I am suffering for you. My suffering joins with and continues the sufferings of Christ. I suffer for his body, which is the church.

We have planted spiritual seed among you. Is it too much to ask that we receive from you some things we need?

Anyone who serves the Lord must not be hard to get along with. Instead, they must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach. The one who serves must not hold anything against anyone.

I only know that in every city the Spirit warns me. He tells me that I will face prison and suffering.But my life means nothing to me. My only goal is to finish the race. I want to complete the work the Lord Jesus has given me. He wants me to tell others about the good news of God’s grace.

But I want you to keep your head no matter what happens. Don’t give up when times are hard. Work to spread the good news. Do everything God has given you to do.

Brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord comes. See how the farmer waits for the land to produce its rich crop. See how patient the farmer is for the fall and spring rains.You too must be patient. You must remain strong. The Lord will soon come back.Brothers and sisters, don’t find fault with one another. If you do, you will be judged. And the Judge is standing at the door!Brothers and sisters, think about the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. They are an example of how to be patient when you suffer.

But you are a man of God. Run away from all these things. Try hard to do what is right and godly. Have faith, love and gentleness. Hold on to what you believe.

So here is how you should think of us. We serve Christ. We are trusted with the mysteries God has shown us.

No one brings grain offerings and drink offerings to the Lord’ s house anymore. So the priests who serve the Lord are filled with sorrow.

We sent our brother Timothy to give you strength and hope in your faith. He works together with us in God’s service to spread the good news about Christ.We sent him so that no one would be upset by times of testing. You know very well that we have to go through times of testing.

I will show him how much he must suffer for me.”

“ Fellow Israelites, listen to this! Jesus of Nazareth was a man who had God’s approval. God did miracles, wonders and signs among you through Jesus. You yourselves know this.

Remain strong in the faith, and you will receive eternal life.

But here is how God has shown his love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Instead, we have given up doing secret and shameful things. We don’t twist God’s word. In fact, we do just the opposite. We present the truth plainly. In the sight of God, we make our appeal to everyone’s sense of what is right and wrong.

Will women be saved by having children? Only if they keep on believing, loving, and leading a holy life in a proper way.

You yourselves know that I have used my own hands to meet my needs. I have also met the needs of my companions.

You have kept my command to remain strong in the faith no matter what happens. So I will keep you from the time of suffering. That time is going to come to the whole world. It will test those who live on the earth.

When I was with you and needed something, I didn’t cause you any expense. The believers who came from Macedonia gave me what I needed. I haven’t caused you any expense at all. And I won’t ever do it.

Are they serving Christ? I am serving him even more. I’m out of my mind to talk like this! I have worked much harder. I have been in prison more often. I have suffered terrible beatings. Again and again I almost died.

Greet Apelles. He remained faithful to Christ even when he was tested. Greet those who live in the house of Aristobulus.

Brothers and sisters, in all our trouble and suffering your faith encouraged us.

Unlike many people, we aren’t selling God’s word to make money. In fact, it is just the opposite. Because of Christ we speak honestly before God. We speak like people God has sent.

Our troubles are small. They last only for a short time. But they are earning for us a glory that will last forever. It is greater than all our troubles.

Those who serve Christ in this way are pleasing to God. They are pleasing to people too.

Brothers and sisters, we are asking you to warn certain people. These people don’t want to work. Instead, they make trouble. We are also asking you to encourage those who have lost hope. Help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.