For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. | For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. |
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. | Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. |
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That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. | I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death. |
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. | We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. |
Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, And put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and youth are vanity. | So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless. |
Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. | Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! |