Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.