Everything written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us strength to go on. They encourage us and give us hope.

从前所写的圣经都是为教训我们写的，叫我们因圣经所生的忍耐和安慰可以得着盼望。

从前所写的圣经都是为教导我们写的，要使我们藉着忍耐和因圣经所生的安慰，得着盼望。

从前所写的圣经都是为教导我们写的，要使我们藉着忍耐和因圣经所生的安慰，得着盼望。

从前写在圣经上的话都是为了教导我们，使我们靠着忍耐和圣经的鼓励而有盼望。

从前经上所写的，都是为教训我们而写的，好使我们藉着忍耐和圣经中的安慰得着盼望。

实际上，凡是先前被记载的，都是为了教导我们而写的，好让我们藉着忍耐和经上的安慰，怀有盼望。

從前所寫的聖經都是為教訓我們寫的，叫我們因聖經所生的忍耐和安慰可以得着盼望。

從前所寫的聖經都是為教導我們寫的，要使我們藉着忍耐和因聖經所生的安慰，得着盼望。

從前所寫的聖經都是為教導我們寫的，要使我們藉着忍耐和因聖經所生的安慰，得着盼望。

從前寫在聖經上的話都是為了教導我們，使我們靠著忍耐和聖經的鼓勵而有盼望。

從前經上所寫的，都是為教訓我們而寫的，好使我們藉著忍耐和聖經中的安慰得著盼望。

凡從前所寫的經，都是要讓我們受教訓而寫的，使我們由於堅忍、由於經上的鼓勵、能持守着盼望。

實際上，凡是先前被記載的，都是為了教導我們而寫的，好讓我們藉著忍耐和經上的安慰，懷有盼望。

昔所載者皆以訓我而書、俾我因忍與聖經之慰而得望、

昔經所載、皆以訓我、因經言忍言慰、使我得望、

昔所書之經、皆為訓我而書、使我儕由經學忍得慰而有望、

凡經所載、皆以訓我、欲使我因研經而習忍耐、而得安慰、而修望德。

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.

For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

For everything that was written in former times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we may have hope.

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Those things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us. That’s because we are living at the time when God’s work is being completed.

God has breathed life into all Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right.By using Scripture, the servant of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing.

The words“ God accepted Abraham’s faith” were written not only for Abraham.They were written also for us. We believe in the God who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. So God will accept our faith and make us right with himself.

So don’t throw away your bold faith. It will bring you rich rewards.You need to be faithful. Then you will do what God wants. You will receive what he has promised.

Here is what is written in the Law of Moses.“ Do not stop an ox from eating while it helps separate the grain from the straw.”( Deuteronomy 25:4) Is it oxen that God is concerned about?Doesn’t he say that for us? Yes, it was written for us. Whoever plows and separates the grain hopes to share the harvest. And it is right for them to hope for this.

Above all, here is what you must understand. No prophecy in Scripture ever came from a prophet’s own understanding of things.Prophecy never came simply because a prophet wanted it to. Instead, the Holy Spirit guided the prophets as they spoke. So, although prophets are human, prophecy comes from God.

When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful.

So be watchful, and control yourselves completely. In this way, put your hope in the grace that lies ahead. This grace will be brought to you when Jesus Christ returns.

That’s the hope we had when we were saved. But hope that can be seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?We hope for what we don’t have yet. So we are patient as we wait for it.

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.As you know, we think that people who don’t give up are blessed. You have heard that Job was patient. And you have seen what the Lord finally did for him. The Lord is full of tender mercy and loving concern.

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.And hope will never bring us shame. That’s because God’s love has been poured into our hearts. This happened through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

God is fair. He will not forget what you have done. He will remember the love you have shown him. You showed it when you helped his people. And you show it when you keep on helping them.We want each of you to be faithful to the very end. If you are, then what you hope for will fully happen.We don’t want you to slow down. Instead, be like those who have faith and are patient. They will receive what God promised.When God made his promise to Abraham, God gave his word. There was no one greater than himself to promise by. So he promised by making an appeal to himself.He said,“ I will certainly bless you. I will give you many children.”( Genesis 22:17)Abraham was patient while he waited. Then he received what God promised him.People promise things by someone greater than themselves. Giving your word makes a promise certain. It puts an end to all arguing.So God gave his word when he made his promise. He wanted to make it very clear that his purpose does not change. He wanted those who would receive what was promised to know this.When God made his promise, he gave his word. He did this so we would have good reason not to give up. Instead, we have run to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope is set before us in God’s promise. So God made his promise and gave his word. These two things can’t change. He couldn’t lie about them.Our hope is certain. It is something for the soul to hold on to. It is strong and secure. It goes all the way into the Most Holy Room behind the curtain.

I deeply long for you to save me. I have put my hope in your word.My eyes grow tired looking for what you have promised. I say,“ When will you comfort me?”I’m as useless as a wineskin that smoke has dried up. But I don’t forget to follow your orders.