And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

忍耐生老练，老练生盼望；

忍耐生老练，老练生盼望，

忍耐生老练，老练生盼望，

忍耐生品格，品格生盼望。

忍耐产生毅力，毅力产生盼望；

忍耐生出品德，品德生出盼望，

忍耐生老練，老練生盼望；

忍耐生老練，老練生盼望，

忍耐生老練，老練生盼望，

忍耐生品格，品格生盼望。

忍耐產生毅力，毅力產生盼望；

堅忍能生出老練，老練能生出盼望；

忍耐生出品德，品德生出盼望，

強忍生練達、練達生希望、

強忍生練達、練達生希望、

忍耐生練達、練達生希望、

堅忍所以致純熟、純熟則有望、

perseverance, character; and character, hope.

The strength to go on produces character. Character produces hope.

and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.

and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope:

endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

and endurance, character, and character, hope.

and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope:

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them.But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration!Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold— though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies.So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.

We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed.Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

But David persisted.“ I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said.“ When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock,I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death.I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God!The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented.“ All right, go ahead,” he said.“ And may the Lord be with you!”

When they brought them out, Joshua told the commanders of his army,“ Come and put your feet on the kings’ necks.” And they did as they were told.“ Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged,” Joshua told his men.“ Be strong and courageous, for the Lord is going to do this to all of your enemies.”

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.

But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more.

When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.

Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.Then I will praise you with music on the harp, because you are faithful to your promises, O my God. I will sing praises to you with a lyre, O Holy One of Israel.I will shout for joy and sing your praises, for you have ransomed me.I will tell about your righteous deeds all day long, for everyone who tried to hurt me has been shamed and humiliated.

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.