pain

⁴And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. And death shall be no more. And neither mourning, nor crying out, nor grief shall be anymore. For the first things have passed away.”

¹⁸For I consider that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with that future glory which shall be revealed in us.

¹²Most beloved, do not choose to sojourn in the passion which is a temptation to you, as if something new might happen to you. ¹³But instead, commune in the Passion of Christ, and be glad that, when his glory will be revealed, you too may rejoice with exultation. ¹⁴If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you will be blessed, because that which is of the honor, glory, and power of God, and that which is of his Spirit, rests upon you. ¹⁵But let none of you suffer for being a murderer, or a thief, or a slanderer, or one who covets what belongs to another. ¹⁶But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, he should not be ashamed. Instead, he should glorify God in that name. ¹⁷For it is time that judgment begin at the house of God. And if it is first from us, what shall be the end of those who do not believe the Gospel of God?

⁴May the Lord bring him help on his bed of sorrow. In his infirmity, you have changed his entire covering.

¹⁷At night, my bone is pierced with sorrows, and those who feed on me, do not sleep.

³And not only that, but we also find glory in tribulation, knowing that tribulation exercises patience, ⁴and patience leads to proving, yet truly proving leads to hope, ⁵but hope is not unfounded, because the love of God is poured forth in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

¹²Most beloved, do not choose to sojourn in the passion which is a temptation to you, as if something new might happen to you. ¹³But instead, commune in the Passion of Christ, and be glad that, when his glory will be revealed, you too may rejoice with exultation.

¹³Everything is possible in him who has strengthened me.

³He heals the contrite of heart, and he binds up their sorrows.

¹⁹The Lord is near to those who are troubled in heart, and he will save the humble in spirit.

¹⁷For though our tribulation is, at the present time, brief and light, it accomplishes in us the weight of a sublime eternal glory, beyond measure.

⁹And he said to me: “My grace is sufficient for you. For virtue is perfected in weakness.” And so, willingly shall I glory in my weaknesses, so that the virtue of Christ may live within me. ¹⁰Because of this, I am pleased in my infirmity: in reproaches, in difficulties, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am powerful.

²²And in this way his body, while he yet lives, will have grief, and his soul will mourn over himself.

²My brothers, when you have fallen into various trials, consider everything a joy, ³knowing that the proving of your faith exercises patience, ⁴and patience brings a work to perfection, so that you may be perfect and whole, deficient in nothing.

¹¹For I know the thoughts that I think over you, says the Lord: thoughts of peace and not of affliction, so that I may give you patience and an end.