That they should repent and turn to God, and do works [ergon] meet [axios] for repentance.
The above appears in Acts 26:20 and is Paul summarizing His preaching, after receiving His vision, which he describes in earlier verses. He says, for this (the above preaching) the religious Jews (the Christian leaders of our time) sought to kill him, but “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light [understanding] unto the people, and to the Gentiles [those who don’t know God – who are all men except the very elect remnant of God’s choosing, here called ‘the people’].”
The following is his description, first telling of his realization it is the LORD he is persecuting, working in those in who He has risen.
Acts 26
13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way [hodos] a light [understanding – in the WAY] from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me [as the LORD describes His coming, in Matthew 24:27, in the son of man] and them which journeyed with me.
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecute [dioko] you me? it is hard for you to kick against the pricks [it is hard to walk in the way misleaders send you].
15 And I said, Who are you, LORD? And he said, I am Jesus [Jehovah’s Salvation in the flesh] whom you persecute [dioko].
16 But rise, and stand upon your feet: for I have appeared unto you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of these things which you have seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto you;
17 Delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send you,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness [ignorance of me] to light [understanding], and from the power of Satan [the misleader and deceivers, whose ways are darkness] unto God [who is our Good Shepherd, leading us into light and life], that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified [separated from corrupt thinking] by faith that is in me [“without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”].
When the LORD speaks to Paul, in Hebrew, He is referring us to what is written in Job 19 and Psalms 35:3 (a Psalm of David). The latter, in English, reads, “Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against [qir’ah – meet] them that persecute [radaph] me: say unto my soul, I am [‘aniy] your salvation [yashuw’ah].”
Job 19
21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O you my friends [ignorantly doing Satan’s work]; for the hand of God has touched me.
22 Why do you persecute [radaph] me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?
23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever!
25 For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
28 But you should say, Why persecute [radaph] we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me [the root of the matter, is to turn the persecutors “from the power of Satan to God” 2 Peter 3:9 The LORD is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements {the corrupt ideas and ways of men} shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works {ways} that are therein shall be burned up.]?
29 Be you afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that you may know there is a judgment.
The Hebrew word radaph means “to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by).”
Psalms 35
A Psalm of David
1 Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.
2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.
3 Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute [radah] me: say unto my soul, I am your salvation.
4 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
5 Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.
6 Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute [radaph] them.
7 For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have dug for my soul.
8 Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he has hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.
9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
10 All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto you, which delivers the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoils him?
11 False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.
12 They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.
13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
14 I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourns for his mother.
15 But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abject gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:
16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
17 LORD, how long will you look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.
18 I will give you thanks in the great congregation: I will praise you among much people.
19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
20 For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.
21 Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye has seen it.
22 This you have seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O LORD, be not far from me.
23 Stir up yourself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my LORD.
24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to your righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.
25 Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
26 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonor that magnify themselves against me.
27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
28 And my tongue shall speak of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.
The way of man is to pursue (radaph) to destroy. The WAY of God, the High “way against” (qir’ah) the ignorant doing the work of Satan, is to “meet” him in the way, to enlighten and save any (Jew, Christian, or others) who receive Him at His appearing in the light.
Amos 1
9 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus [the false rock, false church], and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom [the enemies mixed among us], and remembered not the brotherly covenant:
10 But I will send a fire on the wall [of lies] of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof.
11 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue [radaph – persecute to destroy] his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever:
12 But I will send a fire upon Teman [the wise men of Edom, the so-called experts of the corrupt world], which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah [the people who are their strength].
13 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon [those who divide God’s people, to conquer them], and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead [who have this testimony], that they might enlarge their border:
14 But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah [the great men of the world], and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with shouting [this voice of God] in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind [from where God speaks]:
15 And their king shall go into captivity, he and his princes together, saith the LORD.
Amos 3
13 Hear you, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the LORD God, the God of hosts,
14 That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel [the house of God, where idol have been put in His place and are called by His name]: and the horns [the power] of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.
15 And I will smite the winter house [in darkness, where the fires always burn] with the summer house [where the Spirit moves unseen, like the wind]; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses [of oppression] shall have an end, saith the LORD.
In the beginning verses of Amos 4, the LORD speaks against these corrupt houses (of church and state) and their ways, which He says His people like. He speaks of the consequences that come with this degenerate state, ending in the delusions of the day (the pestilence the oppressors use to oppress), “yet have you not returned unto me, saith the LORD.”
He then speaks of His way, to manifest His presence, His “way against” the persecutors, saying they should prepare to “meet” Him.
Amos 4
7 And also I have withholden the rain [the word of God from heaven] from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.
8 So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have you not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
9 I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them [the oppressors have devoured the world’s economic growth – now saying they want to “build back better” with more of what destroyed it]: yet have you [My People who like it so] not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
10 I have sent among you the pestilence [COVID the oppressors use to cause irrational fear to panic the heard into their way] after the manner of Egypt [of the oppressors]: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses [your strength]; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have you not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
11 I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah [flame and ruin], and you were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have you not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
12 Therefore thus will I do unto you, O Israel: and because I will do this unto you, prepare to meet [qir’ah] your God, O Israel.
13 For, lo, he that formed the mountains, and created the wind, and declares unto man what is his thought, that makes the morning darkness [when His understanding come the ignorant are exposed], and treads upon the high places of [He walks in His High WAY on] the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.
Zechariah 2
1 I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.
2 Then said I, Whither go you? And he said unto me, To measure [assess the condition of] Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.
3 And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet [qir’ah] him,
4 And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:
5 For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.
6 Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north [darkness – ignorance], saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.
7 Deliver yourself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon [confusion].
8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory has he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that touches you touches the apple of his eye.
9 For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to [meet them].
10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of you, saith the LORD.
11 And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of you, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me unto you.
12 And the LORD shall inherit Judah [His elect remnant first] his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem [all His people, in ONE BODY] again.
13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
Zechariah 3
1 And he showed me Joshua [Jesus – Jehovah’s Salvation in the flesh] the high priest [the body of Christ – the priesthood] standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand [in the church] to resist [satan – mislead] him.
2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke you, O Satan; even the LORD that has chosen Jerusalem [all God’s people in who He dwells] rebuke you: is not this a brand plucked [natsal – harpazo, “caught up”] out of the fire? [Amos 3: 12 Thus saith the LORD; As the shepherd taketh {natsal} out of the mouth of the lion two legs {those who walk in His way}, or a piece of an ear {those who hear His word}; so shall the children of Israel be taken out {natsal} that dwell in Samaria {in idol worship asleep} in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch {where the work has been silenced}.]
3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments [the corrupt], and stood before the angel.
4 And he answered and spoke unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with change of raiment.
5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments [of the cleansed priesthood]. And the angel of the LORD stood by.
6 And the angel of the LORD protested [reiterated] unto Joshua, saying,
7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If you will walk in my ways, and if you will keep my charge, then you shall also judge my house, and shall also keep my courts, and I will give you places to walk among these that stand by.
8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you, and your fellows that sit before you: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch.
9 For behold the [foundation] stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes [the church that sees, understands, the foundation laid]: behold, I will engrave the graving [write it in their minds] thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day [I will remember their sins no more].
10 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall you call every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree.
John 15
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now you are clean [the cleansed priesthood] through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me.
5 I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abided in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be my disciples.
9 As the Father has loved [agapao – as He has freely given] me, so have I loved you: continue you in my love [agape – charity, give as He has freely given us these treasures].
10 If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love [agape – charity]; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love [agape – charity].
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That you love [agapao] one another, as I have loved [agapao] you.
13 Greater love [agape – charity] has no man than this, that a man lay down [gives – dedicates] his life for his friends.
14 You are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his LORD does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16 You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you [as God’s priests], that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17 These things I command you, that you love [agapao – as we have been freely given, give, to bring forth fruit] one another.
18 If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his LORD. If they have persecuted [dioko] me, they will also persecute [dioko] you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
23 He that hates me hates my Father also.
24 If I had not done among them the works [ergon] which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
25 But this comes to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
26 But when the Comforter [the Paraclete – the Father working, unknown in the son] is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me:
27 And you also shall bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
When Luke records Paul saying, in the title, that his preaching calls all to repent and “turn” to God, and do works “meet” for repentance, the word “turn” is epistrepho, and “meet” is axios.
Strong’s #1994: epistrepho (pronounced ep-ee-stref’-o) from 1909 and 4762; to revert (literally, figuratively or morally):–come (go) again, convert, (re)turn (about, again).
Strong’s #514: axios (pronounced ax’-ee-os) probably from 71; deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise):–due reward, meet, (un-)worthy.
The first (epistrepho) is the word used in John 12:40 as the LORD quotes Isaiah 6:9 & 10.
John 12
36 While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light. These things spoke Jesus, and departed [and they became ignorant], and did hide himself [in their ignorance] from them.
37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
38 That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, LORD, who has believed our report [shmuw’ah – this sound doctrine]? and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed [to them that receive Him, this report, the arm {work – which is the way, truth, and life} of the LORD is revealed]?
39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again,
40 He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted [epistrepho – turned], and I should heal them.
41 These things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spoke of him.
42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44 Jesus cried and said, He that believes on me, believes not on me, but on him that sent me.
45 And he that sees me sees him that sent me.
46 I am come a light [understanding] into the world, that whosoever believes on me should not abide in darkness [in ignorance].
47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
48 He that rejects me, and receives not my words, has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
2 Corinthians 3
14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same vail [hiding God’s presence in His way, in the flesh, work in which He is self-evidently revealed] untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
16 Nevertheless when it shall turn [epistrepho] to the LORD, the vail shall be taken away.
17 Now the LORD is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the LORD, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD.
The word axios, rendered “meet” in the title, is the origin of the word axiom, meaning (from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary): 1: a statement accepted as true as the basis for argument or inference; 2: an established rule or principle or a self-evident truth; 3: a maxim widely accepted on its intrinsic merit.
Above, in context, it is speaking of the glory of God revealing Him self-evidently in His works in and through us, “the same image from glory to glory.”
2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the LORD; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the LORD Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the LORD Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
John 14
10 Believest you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words [ergon] that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he does the works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ [ergon] sake.
12 Truly, truly, I say unto you, He that believes on me, the works [ergon] that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
The “works” of the Father are to reveal Himself in His word, acts which become self-evident of His glory and presence, in the son (children) He declares and is well pleased.
Revelation 5
1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne [the Father] a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy [axios] to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy [axios] to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
7 And he [the son of man] came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne [the Father].
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy [axios] to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And have made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy [axios – self-evident] is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor [time – Tim], and glory, and blessing.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing [of these hidden things of the deep revealed], and honor [time – Tim], and glory [of the Father revealed], and power [the strength of His arm revealed], be unto him [the Father revealed] that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that lives forever and ever.
1 Thessalonians 1
4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as you know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And you became followers of us, and of the LORD, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.
7 So that you were examples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia [the houses of dead flesh, which are in tribulation].
8 For from you sounded out the word of the LORD not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
9 For they themselves show of us what manner [way] of entering [eisodos] in we had unto you, and how you turned [epistrepho] to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
2 Thessalonians 1
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet [axios – God’s glory is self-evident in you works], because that your faith grows exceedingly, and the charity [agape – freely giving His word as received from Him] of every one of you all toward each other abounds [brings much fruit];
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure:
5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer:
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the LORD Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our LORD Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the LORD, and from the glory of his power;
10 When [WHEN?] he shall come to be glorified [when the Father’s glory is revealed] in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12 That the name of our LORD Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the LORD Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2
2 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby:
3 If so be you have tasted that the LORD is gracious.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness [ignorance] into his marvelous light [opening our eyes to understanding];
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the LORD’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory is it, if, when you be buffeted for your faults, you shall take it patiently? but if, when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21 For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judges righteously:
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.
25 For you were as sheep going astray; but are now returned [epistrepho] unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Psalms 59
1 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.
4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.
5 You therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.
6 They return at evening: they make a noise [barking in the darkness] like a dog, and go round about the city.
7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, does hear?
8 But you, O LORD, shall laugh at them; you shall have all the heathen in derision.
9 Because of his strength will I wait upon you: for God is my defense.
10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by your power; and bring them down, O LORD our shield.
12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.
13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God rules in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.
14 And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise [barking in the darkness] like a dog, and go round about the city.
15 Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of your power; yea, I will sing aloud of your mercy in the morning: for you have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 Unto you, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defense, and the God of my mercy.
