1 Peter 1:1-12 RSV

Ephesians 1:3-10 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace

which he lavished upon us,

For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ

as a plan for the fulness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Colossians 1:3-6 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of truth, the gospel

which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing--so among yourselves, for the day you heard and understood the grace of God in truth,

as you learned it from Ep'-a-phras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf

and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures trail, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.

Job 23:8-12 "Behold, I am go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceived him;

on the left hand I seek him,' but I cannot behold him; I turn to the right hand, but I cannot see him.

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside.

I have not departed from the commandment of his lips' I have treasured in my bosom the words of his mouth.

2 Peter 1:19-21 And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this and to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star  rises in your hearts.

First of all you must understand this, that no prophetic word of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation,

because no prophesy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Ephesians 3:7-13 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace which was given me by the working of his power.

To me, though I am the very least least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things;

that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.

This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him.

So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.