'Men of Israel, listen! Today you are going into battle. Do not be afraid of your enemies or lose courage or panic.

Even those who are young grow weak; young people can fall exhausted.

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.

The time is coming when they will say to Jerusalem, "Do not be afraid, city of Zion! Do not let your hands hang limp!

They strengthened the believers and encouraged them to remain true to the faith. "We must pass through many troubles to enter the Kingdom of God," they taught.

So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest.

But you, friends, must not become tired of doing good.

Think of what he went through; how he put up with so much hatred from sinners! So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up.

Have you forgotten the encouraging words which God speaks to you as his children? "My child, pay attention when the Lord corrects you, and do not be discouraged when he rebukes you.

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles, pray to God.

If we suffer, it is for your help and salvation; if we are helped, then you too are helped and given the strength to endure with patience the same sufferings that we also endure.

I want you to know, my friends, that the things that have happened to me have really helped the progress of the gospel.

And my being in prison has given most of the believers more confidence in the Lord, so that they grow bolder all the time to preach the message fearlessly.

And now I am happy about my sufferings for you, for by means of my physical sufferings I am helping to complete what still remains of Christ's sufferings on behalf of his body, the church.

while we sent Timothy, our brother who works with us for God in preaching the Good News about Christ. We sent him to strengthen you and help your faith,

For while we were still with you, we told you ahead of time that we were going to be persecuted; and as you well know, that is exactly what happened.