I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

There is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doing this work. The capacity we have comes from God;

it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant, which consists not of a written law but of the Spirit. The written law brings death, but the Spirit gives life.

But Moses said to God, "I am nobody. How can I go to the king and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

God answered, "I will be with you, and when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will worship me on this mountain. That will be the proof that I have sent you."

But Moses said, "No, LORD, don't send me. I have never been a good speaker, and I haven't become one since you began to speak to me. I am a poor speaker, slow and hesitant."

Now, go! I will help you to speak, and I will tell you what to say."

At this the LORD became angry with Moses and said, "What about your brother Aaron, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. In fact, he is now coming to meet you and will be glad to see you.

May his towns be protected with iron gates, And may he always live secure."

God has always been your defense; his eternal arms are your support. He drove out your enemies as you advanced, and told you to destroy them all.

Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I, the LORD your God, am with you wherever you go."

When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you.

I answered, "Sovereign LORD, I don't know how to speak; I am too young."

Do not be afraid of them, for I will be with you to protect you. I, the LORD, have spoken!"

When they bring you to trial, do not worry about what you are going to say or how you will say it; when the time comes, you will be given what you will say.

For the words you will speak will not be yours; they will come from the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

because I will give you such words and wisdom that none of your enemies will be able to refute or contradict what you say.

Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.

But by God's grace I am what I am, and the grace that he gave me was not without effect. On the contrary, I have worked harder than any of the other apostles, although it was not really my own doing, but God's grace working with me.

So we preach Christ to everyone. With all possible wisdom we warn and teach them in order to bring each one into God's presence as a mature individual in union with Christ.

To get this done I toil and struggle, using the mighty strength which Christ supplies and which is at work in me.

And our Lord poured out his abundant grace on me and gave me the faith and love which are ours in union with Christ Jesus.

Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.

it is sung by children and babies. You are safe and secure from all your enemies; you stop anyone who opposes you.

Give strength to hands that are tired and to knees that tremble with weakness.

Tell everyone who is discouraged, "Be strong and don't be afraid! God is coming to your rescue, coming to punish your enemies."

He strengthens those who are weak and tired.

But those who trust in the LORD for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.

I am the LORD your God; I strengthen you and tell you, 'Do not be afraid; I will help you.' "

I will make you like a threshing board, with spikes that are new and sharp. You will thresh mountains and destroy them; hills will crumble into dust.

Then the angel, who looked like a human being, reached out and touched my lips. I said to him, "Sir, this vision makes me so weak that I can't stop trembling.

Once more he took hold of me, and I felt stronger.

I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves,

I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

May you be made strong with all the strength which comes from his glorious power, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience. And with joy give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to have your share of what God has reserved for his people in the kingdom of light.

put out fierce fires, escaped being killed by the sword. They were weak, but became strong; they were mighty in battle and defeated the armies of foreigners.

I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I will be glad to spend all I have, and myself as well, in order to help you. Will you love me less because I love you so much?

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

Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted.

So I will boast about this man---but I will not boast about myself, except the things that show how weak I am.

If I must boast, I will boast about things that show how weak I am.

The fifty prophets from Jericho saw him and said, "The power of Elijah is on Elisha!" They went to meet him, bowed down before him,

Then over Mount Zion and over all who are gathered there, the LORD will send a cloud in the daytime and smoke and a bright flame at night. God's glory will cover and protect the whole city.

His glory will shade the city from the heat of the day and make it a place of safety, sheltered from the rain and storm.

The spirit of the LORD will give him wisdom and the knowledge and skill to rule his people. He will know the LORD's will and honor him,

The LORD your God is with you; his power gives you victory. The LORD will take delight in you, and in his love he will give you new life. He will sing and be joyful over you,

Jesus drew near and said to them, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."

Rather be glad that you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may be full of joy when his glory is revealed.

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.