Then she told him the same story: "That Hebrew slave that you brought here came into my room and insulted me.

Shem, the older brother of Japheth, was the ancestor of all the Hebrews.

But a man escaped and reported all this to Abram, the Hebrew, who was living near the sacred trees belonging to Mamre the Amorite. Mamre and his brothers Eshcol and Aner were Abram's allies.

After all, I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and even here in Egypt I didn't do anything to deserve being put in prison."

You liars, what will God do to you? How will he punish you?

Countries nearby and countries far away sneer at you because of your lawlessness.

and after a while his master's wife began to desire Joseph and asked him to go to bed with her.

Evil people testify against me and accuse me of crimes I know nothing about.

I am terrified by the threats of my enemies, crushed by the oppression of the wicked. They bring trouble on me; they are angry with me and hate me.

Anyone who hides hatred is a liar. Anyone who spreads gossip is a fool.

"Listen to me, you that know what is right, who have my teaching fixed in your hearts. Do not be afraid when people taunt and insult you;

But no weapon will be able to hurt you; you will have an answer for all who accuse you. I will defend my servants and give them victory." The LORD has spoken.

"Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers.

The chief priests and the whole Council tried to find some false evidence against Jesus to put him to death;

where they began to accuse him: "We caught this man misleading our people, telling them not to pay taxes to the Emperor and claiming that he himself is the Messiah, a king."

We are honored and disgraced; we are insulted and praised. We are treated as liars, yet we speak the truth;

For what credit is there if you endure the beatings you deserve for having done wrong? But if you endure suffering even when you have done right, God will bless you for it.

But even if you should suffer for doing what is right, how happy you are! Do not be afraid of anyone, and do not worry.

but do it with gentleness and respect. Keep your conscience clear, so that when you are insulted, those who speak evil of your good conduct as followers of Christ will become ashamed of what they say.

For Christ died for sins once and for all, a good man on behalf of sinners, in order to lead you to God. He was put to death physically, but made alive spiritually,

Happy are you if you are insulted because you are Christ's followers; this means that the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God, is resting on you.

However, if you suffer because you are a Christian, don't be ashamed of it, but thank God that you bear Christ's name.

As the scripture says, "It is difficult for good people to be saved; what, then, will become of godless sinners?"