On day 353, 1 Peter 3-5 addresses how to face suffering with courage and faith, and how to remain steadfast in Christian hope. 1 Thessalonians 1-3 encourages us to persevere in joy and brotherly love, while Proverbs 30:15-16 offers enigmatic reflections on human insatiability and divine wisdom.
1. In like manner also let wives be subject to their husbands: that if any believe not the word, they may be won without the word, by the conversation of the wives.
2. Considering your chaste conversation with fear.
3. Whose adorning let it not be the outward plaiting of the hair, or the wearing of gold, or the putting on of apparel:
4. But the hidden man of the heart in the incorruptibility of a quiet and a meek spirit, which is rich in the sight of God.
5. For after this manner heretofore the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:
6. As Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters you are, doing well, and not fearing any disturbance.
7. Ye husbands, likewise dwelling with them according to knowledge, giving honour to the female as to the weaker vessel, and as to the co-heirs of the grace of life: that your prayers be not hindered.
8. And in fine, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, being lovers of the brotherhood, merciful, modest, humble:
9. Not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing: for unto this are you called, that you may inherit a blessing.
10. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.
11. Let him decline from evil, and do good: let him seek after peace and pursue it:
12. Because the eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and his ears unto their prayers: but the countenance of the Lord upon them that do evil things.
13. And who is he that can hurt you, if you be zealous of good?
14. But if also you suffer any thing for justice' sake, blessed are ye. And be not afraid of their fear, and be not troubled.
15. But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you.
16. But with modesty and fear, having a good conscience: that whereas they speak evil of you, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
17. For it is better doing well (if such be the will of God) to suffer, than doing ill.
18. Because Christ also died once for our sins, the just for the unjust: that he might offer us to God, being put to death indeed in the flesh, but enlivened in the spirit,
19. In which also coming he preached to those spirits that were in prison:
20. Which had been some time incredulous, when they waited for the patience of God in the days of Noe, when the ark was a building: wherein a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water.
21. Whereunto baptism being of the like form, now saveth you also: not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the examination of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
22. Who is on the right hand of God, swallowing down death, that we might be made heirs of life everlasting: being gone into heaven, the angels and powers and virtues being made subject to him.
1. Christ therefore having suffered in the flesh, be you also armed with the same thought: for he that hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceased from sins:
2. That now he may live the rest of his time in the flesh , not after the desires of men, but according to the will of God.
3. For the time past is sufficient to have fulfilled the will of the Gentiles, for them who have walked in riotousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and unlawful worshipping of idols.
4. Wherein they think it strange, that you run not with them into the same confusion of riotousness, speaking evil of you.
5. Who shall render account to him, who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6. For, for this cause was the gospel preached also to the dead: that they might be judged indeed according to men, in the flesh; but may live according to God, in the Spirit.
7. But the end of all is at hand. Be prudent therefore, and watch in prayers.
8. But before all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves: for charity covereth a multitude of sins.
9. Using hospitality one towards another, without murmuring,
10. As every man hath received grace, ministering the same one to another: as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11. If any man speak, let him speak, as the words of God. If any man minister, let him do it, as of the power, which God administereth: that in all things God may be honoured through Jesus Christ: to whom is glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.
12. Dearly beloved, think not strange the burning heat which is to try you, as if some new thing happened to you;
13. But if you partake of the sufferings of Christ, rejoice that when his glory shall be revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
14. If you be reproached for the name of Christ, you shall be blessed: for that which is of the honour, glory, and power of God, and that which is his Spirit, resteth upon you.
15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a railer, or a coveter of other men's things.
16. But if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
17. For the time is, that judgment should begin at the house of God. And if first at us, what shall be the end of them that believe not the gospel of God?
18. And if the just man shall scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19. Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God, commend their souls in good deeds to the faithful Creator.
1. The ancients therefore that are among you, I beseech, who am myself also an ancient, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ: as also a partaker of that glory which is to be revealed in time to come:
2. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care of it, not by constraint, but willingly, according to God: not for filthy lucre's sake, but voluntarily:
3. Neither as lording it over the clergy, but being made a pattern of the flock from the heart.
4. And when the prince of pastors shall appear, you shall receive a never fading crown of glory.
5. In like manner, ye young men, be subject to the ancients. And do you all insinuate humility one to another, for God resisteth the proud, but to the humble he giveth grace.
6. Be you humbled therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in the time of visitation:
7. Casting all your care upon him, for he hath care of you.
8. Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour.
9. Whom resist ye, strong in faith: knowing that the same affliction befalls your brethren who are in the world.
10. But the God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, will himself perfect you, and confirm you, and establish you.
11. To him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.
12. By Sylvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I think, I have written briefly: beseeching and testifying that this is the true grace of God, wherein you stand.
13. The church that is in Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you: and so doth my son Mark.
14. Salute one another with a holy kiss. Grace be to all you, who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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1. Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy: to the church of the Thessalonians, in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Grace be to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for you all; making a remembrance of you in our prayers without ceasing,
3. Being mindful of the work of your faith, and labour, and charity, and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father:
4. Knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election:
5. For our gospel hath not been unto you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much fulness, as you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes.
6. And you became followers of us, and of the Lord; receiving the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
7. So that you were made a pattern to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.
8. For from you was spread abroad the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia, and in Achaia, but also in every place, your faith which is towards God, is gone forth, so that we need not to speak any thing.
9. For they themselves relate of us, what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God.
10. And to wait for his Son from heaven (whom he raised up from the dead,) Jesus, who hath delivered us from the wrath to come.
1. For yourselves know, brethren, our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
2. But having suffered many things before, and been shamefully treated (as you know) at Philippi, we had confidence in our God, to speak unto you the gospel of God in much carefulness.
3. For our exhortation was not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deceit:
4. But as we were approved by God that the gospel should be committed to us: even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who proveth our hearts.
5. For neither have we used, at any time, the speech of flattery, as you know; nor taken an occasion of covetousness, God is witness:
6. Nor sought we glory of men, neither of you, nor of others. 7 Whereas we might have been burdensome to you, as the apostles of Christ: but we became little ones in the midst of you, as if a nurse should cherish her children:
8. So desirous of you, we would gladly impart unto you not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls: because you were become most dear unto us.
9. For you remember, brethren, our labour and toil: working night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you, we preached among you the gospel of God.
10. You are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and without blame, we have been to you that have believed:
11. As you know in what manner, entreating and comforting you, (as a father doth his children,)
12. We testified to every one of you, that you would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
13. Therefore, we also give thanks to God without ceasing: because, that when you had received of us the word of the hearing of God, you received it not as the word of men, but (as it is indeed) the word of God, who worketh in you that have believed.
14. For you, brethren, are become followers of the churches of God which are in Judea, in Christ Jesus: for you also have suffered the same things from your own coutrymen, even as they have from the Jews,
15. Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and the prophets, and have persecuted us, and please not God, and are adversaries to all men;
16. Prohibiting us to speak to the Gentiles, that they may be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath of God is come upon them to the end.
17. But we, brethren, being taken away from you for a short time, in sight, not in heart, have hastened the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
18. For we would have come unto you, I Paul indeed, once and again: but Satan hath hindered us.
19. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glory? Are not you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
20. For you are our glory and joy.
1. For which cause, forbearing no longer, we thought it good to remain at Athens alone:
2. And we sent Timothy, our brother, and the minister of God in the gospel of Christ, to confirm you and exhort you concerning your faith:
3. That no man should be moved in these tribulations: for yourselves know, that we are appointed thereunto.
4. For even when we were with you, we foretold you that we should suffer tribulations, as also it is come to pass, and you know.
5. For this cause also, I, forbearing no longer, sent to know your faith: lest perhaps he that tempteth should have tempted you, and our labour should be made vain.
6. But now when Timothy came to us from you, and related to us your faith and charity, and that you have a good remembrance of us always, desiring to see us as we also to see you;
7. Therefore we were comforted, brethren, in you, in all our necessity and tribulation, by your faith,
8. Because now we live, if you stand in the Lord.
9. For what thanks can we return to God for you, in all the joy wherewith we rejoice for you before our God,
10. Night and day more abundantly praying that we may see your face, and may accomplish those things that are wanting to your faith?
11. Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
12. And may the Lord multiply you, and make you abound in charity towards one another, and towards all men: as we do also towards you,
13. To confirm your hearts without blame, in holiness, before God and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Amen.
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15. The horseleech hath two daughters that say: Bring, bring. There are three things that never are satisfied, and the fourth never saith: It is enough.
16. Hell, and the mouth of the womb, and the earth which is not satisfied with water: and the fire never saith: It is enough.
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"É loucura fixar o olhar no que rapidamente passa". São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
