60 Bible Verses about Persecution

And they departed from the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for his name.

Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall falsely say all manner of evil sayings against you for my sake.

I am come to send fire on earth: and what is my desire but that it were already kindled? Notwithstanding, I must be baptised with a baptism. And how am I pained till it be ended? "Suppose ye that I am come to send peace on earth? I tell you, nay: but rather debate. read more.
For henceforth there shall be five in one house divided: three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father. The mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother. The mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall falsely say all manner of evil sayings against you for my sake.

Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall falsely say all manner of evil sayings against you for my sake.

And they departed from the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for his name.

Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil, the Lord reward him according to his deeds,

The same time there arose no little ado about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith which made silver shrines for Diana, was not a little beneficial unto the craftsmen: which he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, "Sirs ye know that by this craft we have vantage. read more.
Moreover, ye see and hear that not alone at Ephesus: but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be not gods which are made with hands: so that not only this our craft cometh into peril to be set at nought: but that also the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised. And her magnificence should be destroyed, which all Asia, and the world worshippeth." When they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians." And all the city was on a roar, and they rushed into the common hall with one assent, and caught Gaius, and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions. When Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. Certain also of the chief of Asia which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not press into the common hall. Some cried one thing, and some another and the congregation was all out of quiet, and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. Some of the company drew forth Alexander, the Jews thrusting him forwards. Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have given the people an answer. When they knew that he was a Jew, there arose a shout almost for the space of two hours of all men crying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians." When the town clerk had ceased the people he said, "Ye men of Ephesus: what man is it that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which came from heaven? Seeing then that no man saith here against, ye ought to be content, and to do nothing rashly; For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet despisers of your goddess. Wherefore if Demetrius and the craftsmen which are with him, have any saying to any man: the law is open, and there are rulers. Let them accuse one another. If ye go about any other thing, it may be determined in a lawful congregation. For we are in jeopardy to be accused of this day's business: forasmuch as there is no cause whereby we may give a reckoning of this concourse of people." And when he had thus spoken, he let the congregation depart.

Brethren, I would not have you ignorant of our trouble, which happened unto us in Asia. For we were grieved out of measure passing strength, so greatly that we despaired even of life.

When the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came there and moved the people: and then, by and by, the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea. But Silas and Timothy abode there still. And they that guided Paul brought him unto Athens, and received a commandment unto Silas and Timothy for to come to him at once. And came their way.

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, must suffer persecutions.

Me thinketh that God hath set forth us, which are apostles, for the lowest of all: as it were, men appointed to death. For we are a gazingstock unto the world, and to the angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, and ye are wise through Christ: we are weak, and ye are strong. Ye are honorable, and we are despised. Even unto this day we hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted with fists, and have no certain dwelling place, read more.
and labour working with our own hands. We are reviled, and yet we bless. We are persecuted, and suffer it. We are evil spoken of, and we pray. We are made as it were the filthiness of the world, the offscouring of all things, even unto this time.

And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said unto him, "Master, see what stones, and what buildings are here?" And Jesus answered, and said unto him, "Seest thou these great buildings? There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." And as he sat on mount Olivet over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him secretly, read more.
"When shall these things be? And what is the sign, when all these things shall be fulfilled?" And Jesus answered them, and began to say, "Take heed, lest any man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, 'I am Christ,' and shall deceive many. When ye shall hear of war, and tidings of war, be ye not troubled. For such things must needs be. But the end is not yet. For there shall nation arise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there shall be earthquakes, in all quarters, and famishment, and troubles. These are the beginning of sorrows. But take ye heed to yourselves. For they shall bring you up to the councils, and into the synagogues, and ye shall be beaten, and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings, for my sake, for a testimonial unto them. And the gospel must first be published among all nations. But when they lead you, and present you, take no thought aforehand what ye shall say, neither imagine: but whatsoever is given you at the same time, that speak. For it shall not be ye that shall speak, but the holy ghost. Yea, and the brother shall deliver the brother to death. And the father the son, and the children shall rise against their fathers and mothers, and shall put them to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But whosoever shall endure unto the end, the same shall be safe.

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep among wolves: Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and innocent as doves. Beware of men: for they shall deliver you up to the councils, and shall scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought to the head rulers and kings for my sake, in witness to them and to the Gentiles. read more.
But when they deliver you up, take no thought, how, or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you even in that same hour, what ye shall say. For it is not ye that speak, but the spirit of your father which speaketh in you. The brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son: and the children shall arise against their fathers, and mothers, and shall put them to death, and ye shall be hated of all men, for my name: but he that shall endureth unto the end, shall be saved. When they persecute you in one city, fly into another: I tell you for a truth, ye shall not finish all the cities of Israel, till the son of man be come. The disciple is not above his Master, nor yet the servant above his Lord. It is enough for the disciple to be as his Master is, and that the servant be as his Lord is. If they have called the Lord of the house Beelzebub: how much more shall they call them of his household so?

And Jesus went out and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him, for to show him the building of the temple. Jesus said unto them, "See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, There shall not be here left one stone upon another, that shall not be cast down." And as he sat upon the mount Olivet, his disciples came unto him secretly, saying, "Tell us, when these things shall be: and what sign shall be of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" read more.
And Jesus answered, and said unto them, "Take heed that no man deceive you; For many shall come in my name saying, 'I am Christ': and shall deceive many. Ye shall hear of wars, and of the fame of wars, but see that ye be not troubled, for all must come to pass; but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and realm against realm: and there shall be pestilence, and hunger, and earthquakes in all quarters. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they put you to trouble, and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake: And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one the other.

{Shiggaion of David, which he sang for the words of Cush the son of Benjamin} O LORD my God, in thee have I put my trust; save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me,

My time is in thy hand; deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

All thy commandments are true. They persecute me falsely; O be thou my help.

Many there are that trouble me, and persecute me; yet do I not swerve from thy testimonies.

{Shin} The princes persecute me without cause; but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil shall cast of you into prison, to tempt you, and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be faithful unto the death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Then shall they put you to trouble, and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake:

Beware of men: for they shall deliver you up to the councils, and shall scourge you in their synagogues;

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you: delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prison: and bring you before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

Remember the saying, that I said unto you, 'The servant is not greater than the Lord.' If they have persecuted me, so will they persecute you. If they have kept my saying, so will they keep yours.

and found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy with his wife Priscilla: because that the Emperor Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome. And he drew unto them.

At the same time Rezin king of Syria brought Elath again to Syria, and rid the Jews thence. And the Syrians went to Elath and dwelt therein unto this day.

And the writings were sent by posts into all the king's lands, to root out, to kill, and to destroy all Jews, both young and old, children and women in one day, - namely upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar - and to spoil their goods.

Yea, they say in their hearts, "Let us make havoc of them all together." Thus have they burnt up all the houses of God in the land.

"Come," say they, "let us root them out, that they be no more a people, and that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance."

but commanded Jerahmeel the son of Amalek, and Seraiah the son of Azriel and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to lay hands on Baruch the Scribe, and upon Jeremiah the Prophet: but the LORD kept them out of sight.

O mother, alas that ever thou didst bear me, an enemy and hated of the whole land: Though I never lent nor received upon usury, yet all men speak evil upon me.

what time as the king of Babylon's Host laid siege unto Jerusalem. But Jeremiah the prophet lay bound in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house:

"O LORD," said I then, "thou knowest all things. Therefore remember me, and visit me, deliver me from my persecutors: Receive not my cause in thy long wrath; yet thou knowest, that for thy sake I suffer rebuke.

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah on this manner, when he was yet bound in the court of the prison,

And Herod, with his men of war, despised him, and mocked him; And arrayed him in white, and sent him again to Pilate.

And therefore the Jews did persecute Jesus, and sought the means to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day.

and rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him even unto the edge of the hill, whereon their city was built, to cast him down headlong.

After that Jesus went about into Galilee, and would not go about in Jewry, for the Jews sought to kill him.

I know that ye are Abraham's seed: but ye seek means to kill me because my sayings have no place in you.

and which delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver - on whom we trust, that yet hereafter he will deliver us,

He answered and said, "Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt. And the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."

Then spake Nebuchadnezzar, and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: which hath sent his angel, and defended his servants that put their trust in him: that have altered the king's commandment, and jeopardized their bodies thereupon, rather than they would serve or worship any other god except their own God only.

persecutions, and afflictions which happened unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra: which persecutions I suffered patiently; And from them all the Lord delivered me.

And when they heard that, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord and said, "Lord, thou art God which hast made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, which by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, 'Why did the heathen rage and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up and the rulers came together against the Lord, and against his Christ.' read more.
For of a truth, against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and also Pontius Pilate with the gentiles, and the people of Israel, gathered themselves together:

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues: that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. But as he journeyed, it fortuned that he drew nigh to Damascus, and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven. read more.
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" And he said, "What art thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it shall be hard for thee to kick against the prick."

I am the true vine, and my father is a husbandman. Every branch that beareth not fruit in me, he will take away. And every branch that beareth fruit will he purge, that it may bring more fruit. Now are ye clean, through the words which I have spoken unto you. read more.
Abide in me, and let me abide in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine: no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, and ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit. For without me can ye do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered: and men gather it and cast it into the fire, and it burneth. If ye abide in me, and my words also abide in you: ask what ye will, and it shall be done to you. Herein is my father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, and be made my disciples. "AS the father hath loved me, even so have I loved you. Continue in my love. If ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love: even as I have kept my father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment: that ye love together as I have loved you. Greater love than this hath no man, than that a man bestow his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth, call I you not servants: For the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth. But you have I called friends: For all things that I have heard of my father, I have opened to you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you that ye go, and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit remain, that whatsoever ye shall ask of the father in my name he should give it you. This command I you, that ye love together. "If the world hate you, ye know that he hated me before he hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own. Howbeit, because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore hateth you the world. Remember the saying, that I said unto you, 'The servant is not greater than the Lord.' If they have persecuted me, so will they persecute you. If they have kept my saying, so will they keep yours. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they have not known him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they should not have had sin: but now have they nothing to cloak their sin withal. He that hateth me, hateth my father. If I had not done works among them which none other man did, they had not had sin. But now have they seen, and yet have hated both me and my father: Even that the saying might be fulfilled that is written in their law, 'They hated me without a cause.'

The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus which had made him whole. And therefore the Jews did persecute Jesus, and sought the means to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day. And Jesus answered them, "My father worketh hitherto, and I work." read more.
Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, not only because he had broken the Sabbath: but said also that God was his father and made himself equal with God.

And it fortuned that as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus, about noon, that suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me, and I fell unto the earth, and heard a voice saying unto me, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' And I answered, 'What art thou Lord?' And he said unto me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.'

When they were departed, Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream saying,. "Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt, and abide there till I bring thee word: For Herod will seek the child to destroy him."

When they persecute you in one city, fly into another: I tell you for a truth, ye shall not finish all the cities of Israel, till the son of man be come.

Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. When Jesus knew that, he departed thence. And much people followed him, and he healed them all;

But now, they that are mine inferiors and younger than I, have me in derision; yea even they, whose fathers I would have thought scorn to have set with the dogs of my cattle. The power and strength of their hands might do me no good, and as for their age, it is spent and past away without any profit. For very misery and hunger, they went about in the wilderness like wretches and beggars, read more.
plucking up herbs from among the bushes, and the Juniper's root was their meat. And when they were driven forth, men cried after them, as it had been after a thief. Their dwelling was beside foul brooks, yea in the caves and dens of the earth. Upon the dry heath went they about crying, and under the thorns they gathered themselves together. They were children of fools and villains, which are dead away from the world. Now am I their song, and am become their jesting stock; they abhor me, they flee far from me, and stain my face with spittle,

As for you, ye are workmasters of lies, and unprofitable physicians altogether. Would God ye kept your tongue, that ye might be taken for wise men! Therefore hear my words, and ponder the sentence of my lips. read more.
Will ye make an answer for God with lies, and maintain him with deceit? Will ye accept the person of God, or will ye contend with him? Shall that help you, when he calleth you to reckoning? Think ye to beguile him, as a man is beguiled? He shall punish you, and reprove you, if ye do secretly accept any person. Shall he not make you afraid, when he showeth himself? Shall not his terrible face fall upon you? Your remembrance shall be like unto the dust, and your pride shall be turned to clay. "Hold your tongues now, and let me speak, for there is something come into my mind.

Job answered, and said, "I have oft times heard such things. Miserable givers of comfort are ye, all the sort of you. Shall not thy vain words come yet to an end? Or, hast thou yet any more to say? read more.
I could speak as ye do also. But would God, that your soul were in my soul's stead: then should I heap up words against you, and shake my head at you.

Froward men are with me, and mine eye must continue in the bitterness of them.

Job answered, and said, "How long will ye vex my mind, and trouble me with words? Lo, ten times have ye reproved me: are ye not ashamed, for to laugh me to scorn? read more.
If I go wrong, I go wrong to myself. But if ye will enhance yourselves against me, and accuse me to be a wicked person because of the shame that is come upon me;

That I have fought with beasts at Ephesus after the manner of men, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not again? "Let us eat and drink, tomorrow we shall die."

If in this life only we believe on Christ, then are we, of all men, the miserablest.

John, your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience which is in Jesus Christ, was in the isle of Patmos for the word of God, and for the witnessing of Jesus Christ.

And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold until the next day. For it was now eventide. Howbeit, many of them, which heard the words, believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. And it chanced on the morrow that their rulers, and elders, and scribes: read more.
as Annas the chief priest, and Caiaphas, and John and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest: were gathered together at Jerusalem, and set the other before them, and asked, "By what power, or in what name, have ye done this, sirs?" Then Peter, full of the holy ghost, said unto them, "Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we this day are examined of the good deed done to the sick man by what means he is made whole: be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, and whom God raised from death again, even by him doth this man stand here present before you whole. This is the stone cast aside of you builders which is set in the chief place of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other. Nor yet also is there any other name given to men wherein we must be saved." When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were unlearned men and lay people, they marveled: and they knew them, that they were with Jesus. And beholding also the man which was healed standing with them, they could not say against it, but they commanded them to go aside out of the council; And counseled among themselves, saying, "What shall we do to these men? For a manifest sign is done by them, and is openly known to all them that dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it: But that it be noised no farther among the people, let us threaten and charge them that they speak henceforth to no man in this name." And they called them, and commanded them that in no wise they should speak or teach in the name of Jesus.

and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors and brought them forth, and said, "Go step forth, and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life." read more.
When they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning and taught. The chief priest came and they that were with him and called a council together, and all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to fetch them. When the ministers came and found them not in the prison, they returned and told, saying, "The prison found we shut as sure as was possible and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened we found no man within." When the chief priest of all and the ruler of the temple and the high priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. Then came one and showed them, "Behold, the men that ye put in prison stand in the temple, and teach the people." Then went the ruler of the temple with ministers, and brought them without violence. For they feared the people lest they should have been stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the chief priest asked them, saying, "Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? And behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and ye intend to bring this man's blood upon us." Peter and the other apostles answered, and said, "We ought more to obey God than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on tree. Him hath God lift up with his right hand, to be a ruler and a saviour: for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are his records as concerning these things: and also the holy ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him." When they heard that, they clave asunder, and sought means to slay them. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of law, had in authority among all the people and bade to put the apostles aside a little space, and said unto them, "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. Before these days rose up one Theudas boasting himself, to whom resorted a number of men, about a four hundred, which was slain, and they all which believed him were scattered abroad, and brought to nought. After this man arose there up one Judas of Galilee, in the time when tribute began, and drew away much people after him. He also perished: and all, even as many as harkened to him, are scattered abroad. And now I say unto you: refrain yourselves from these men, let them alone: For if the counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but and if it be of God, ye cannot destroy it, lest haply ye be found to strive against God." And to him they agreed, and called the apostles, and beat them, and commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house they ceased not, teaching and preaching Jesus Christ.

In that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the congregation. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword: and because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further, and took Peter also. Then were the days of sweetbread. read more.
And when he had caught him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to be kept, intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Then was Peter kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing of the congregation unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him out unto the people, the same night slept Peter between two soldiers, bound with two chains; And the keepers before the door kept the prison. And behold, the angel of the Lord was there present, and a light shined in the lodge. And he smote Peter on the side, and stirred him up, saying, "Arise up quickly." And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, "Gird thyself and bind on thy sandals." And so he did. And he said unto him, "Cast on thy mantle about thee, and follow me." And he came out, and followed him: and wist not that it was truth which was done by the angel; but thought he had seen a vision. When they were past the first and the second watch, they came unto the iron gate, that leadeth unto the city, which opened to them by his own accord. And they went out and passed through one street, and by and by the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, "Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the waiting for of the people of the Jews." And as he considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of one John, which was called Mark also, where many were gathered together in prayer. As Peter knocked at the entry door, a damsel came forth to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the entry for gladness, but ran in and told how Peter stood before the entry. And they said unto her, "Thou art mad." And she bare them down that it was even so. Then said they, "It is his angel." Peter continued knocking: When they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. And he beckoned unto them with the hand to hold their peace, and told them by what means the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Go show these things unto James and to the brethren." And he departed and went into another place. As soon as it was day there was no little ado among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. When Herod had called for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded them to depart. And he descended from Jewry to Caesarea, and there abode.

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you: delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prison: and bring you before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

Remember the saying, that I said unto you, 'The servant is not greater than the Lord.' If they have persecuted me, so will they persecute you. If they have kept my saying, so will they keep yours.

which shall not receive a hundred fold now in this life, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers and children, and lands with persecutions, and in the world to come eternal life.

They which were scattered abroad through the affliction that arose about Stephen, walked throughout till they came unto Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no man, but unto the Jews only. Some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which when they were come into Antioch, spake unto the Greeks, and preached the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord.

Saul had pleasure in his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the congregation which was at Jerusalem, and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Jewry and Samaria, except the apostles.

Howbeit, they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.

I would ye understood, brethren, that my business is happened unto the greater furthering of the gospel. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest throughout all the judgment hall: and in all other places; Insomuch that many of the brethren in the Lord are boldened through my bonds, and dare more largely speak the word without fear.

and as concerning ferventness I persecuted the congregation, and as touching the righteousness which is in the law, I was unrebukable.

when before I was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and a tyrant. But I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly, through unbelief:

And therefore the Jews did persecute Jesus, and sought the means to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day.

which as they killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, even so have they persecuted us, and God they please not, and are contrary to all men:

Then there rose up a new king in Egypt which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his folk, "Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we. Come on, let us play wisely with them: lest they multiply, and then - if there chance any war - they join themselves unto our enemies and fight against us, and so get them out of the land." read more.
And he set taskmasters over them, to keep them under with burdens. And they built unto Pharaoh treasure cities: Pithom and Rameses. But the more they vexed them, the more they multiplied and grew: so that they abhorred the children of Israel. And the Egyptians held the children of Israel in bondage without mercy, and made their lives bitter unto them with cruel labour in clay and brick, and all manner work in the fields, and in all manner of service, which they caused them to work cruelly.

It is verily a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you,

He hath prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.

For the enemy persecuteth my soul; he smiteth my life down to the ground; he layeth me in the darkness, as the dead men of the world.

{Kuf} Our persecutors are swifter than the Eagles of the air, they followed upon us over the mountains, and laid wait for us in the wilderness.

Blessed are they which suffer persecution for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall falsely say all manner of evil sayings against you for my sake. Rejoice, and be glad: for great is your reward in heaven: For so persecuted they the prophets which were before your days.

Blessed are ye when men hate you, and thrust you out of their company, and rail on you, and abhor your name, as an evil thing, for the son of man's sake. Rejoice ye then, and be glad: for behold, your reward is great in heaven. After this manner their fathers entreated the prophets.

Then the king sent unto him a captain over fifty with his fifty. And when the captain was come to Elijah, behold, he sat on the top of a hill. And the captain said unto him, "Man of God, the king biddeth thee come down."

And he went from thence up to Bethel. And as he was going up in the way, there came little lads out of the city and mocked him, and said to him, "Go up, thou bald head! Go up thou baldhead!"

As surely as the LORD thy God liveth there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent, to seek thee. And when they said thou wast not there, he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, because he found thee not.

lest mine enemy say, "I have prevailed against him." For if I be cast down, they that trouble me will rejoice at it.

And they that dwell upon the earth, shall rejoice over them and be glad, and shall send gifts one to another: for these two prophets vexed them that dwelt on the earth.

Rejoice, and be glad: for great is your reward in heaven: For so persecuted they the prophets which were before your days.

but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's passions, that when his glory appeareth, ye may be merry and glad.

that upon you may come all the righteous blood that was shed upon the earth: from the blood of righteous Abel, unto the blood of Zachariah the son of Barachiah, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar:

and not be as Cain, which was of the devil and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? For his own deeds were evil, and his brother's righteous.

And Cain talked with Abel his brother. And as soon as they were in the fields, Cain fell upon Abel his brother and slew him.

For thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts: With a glorious power hath he sent me out to the Heathen, which spoiled you: for whoso toucheth you, shall touch the apple of his own eye.

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" And he said, "What art thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it shall be hard for thee to kick against the prick."

But the Jews moved the worshipful and honorable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas: and expelled them out of their coasts.

I also verily thought in myself, that I ought to do many contrary things, clean against the name of Jesus of Nazareth: which things I also did in Jerusalem. Where many of the saints shut I up in prison, and had received authority of the high priests: And when they were put to death I gave the sentence. "And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme: and was yet more mad upon them, and persecuted them even unto strange cities.

{Shiggaion of David, which he sang for the words of Cush the son of Benjamin} O LORD my God, in thee have I put my trust; save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me,

All thy commandments are true. They persecute me falsely; O be thou my help.

Saul had pleasure in his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the congregation which was at Jerusalem, and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Jewry and Samaria, except the apostles.

For ye have heard of my conversation in times past in the Jews' ways, how that beyond measure I persecuted the congregation of God, and spoiled it:

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues: that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. But as he journeyed, it fortuned that he drew nigh to Damascus, and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven. read more.
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" And he said, "What art thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it shall be hard for thee to kick against the prick." And he, both trembling and astonished, said, "Lord what wilt thou have me to do?" And the Lord said unto him, "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou shalt do." The men which journeyed with him on his way stood amazed, for they heard a voice, but saw no man. And Saul arose from the earth, and opened his eyes, but saw no man. Then led they him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias, and to him said the Lord in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Behold, I am here Lord." And the Lord said to him, "Arise, and go into the street which is called straight, and seek in the house of Judas after one called Saul of the city of Tarsus. For behold, he prayeth; And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in unto him; And putting his hands on him, that he might receive his sight." Then Ananias answered, "Lord I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority of the high priests to bind all that call on thy name."

For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk how they may vex them whom thou hast wounded.

While the ungodly hath the overhand, the poor must suffer persecution; let them be taken in the crafty wiliness that they have imagined!

Blessed are ye when men hate you, and thrust you out of their company, and rail on you, and abhor your name, as an evil thing, for the son of man's sake.

Blessed are they which suffer persecution for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

If I had not done works among them which none other man did, they had not had sin. But now have they seen, and yet have hated both me and my father:

Remember the saying, that I said unto you, 'The servant is not greater than the Lord.' If they have persecuted me, so will they persecute you. If they have kept my saying, so will they keep yours.

For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk how they may vex them whom thou hast wounded.

And therefore the Jews did persecute Jesus, and sought the means to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day.

And the king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah and carry him back again into Amon the governor of the city, and unto Joab the king's son,

and say, "Thus sayeth the king: 'Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with bread and water of tribulation, until I come again in peace.'"

that upon you may come all the righteous blood that was shed upon the earth: from the blood of righteous Abel, unto the blood of Zachariah the son of Barachiah, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar:

Whereupon they conspired against him and stoned him with stones, at the commandment of the king: even in the court of the house of the LORD.

and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men. For all men have not faith:

and labour working with our own hands. We are reviled, and yet we bless. We are persecuted, and suffer it.

The same day at night, which was the morrow after the Sabbath day, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled together for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you."

They answered, and said unto him, "Thou art altogether born in sin: and dost thou teach us?" And they cast him out.

Such words spake his father, and mother, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had conspired already that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be excommunicated out of the Synagogue.

When all these words are come upon thee, whether it be the blessing or the curse which I have set before thee; yet if thou turn unto thine heart among all the nations whither the LORD thy God hath thrust thee, and come again unto the LORD thy God and hearken unto his voice according to all that I command thee this day - both thou and thy children with all thine heart and all thy soul - then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity and have compassion upon thee and go and fetch thee again from all the nations, among which the LORD thy God shall have scattered thee. read more.
Though thou wast cast unto the extreme parts of heaven: even from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee and from thence fetch thee; and bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt enjoy it. And he will show thee kindness and multiply thee above thy fathers. And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy seed for to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart and all thy soul, that thou mayest live. And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies and on them that hate thee and persecute thee.

We are persecuted: but are not forsaken. We are cast down: nevertheless we perish not.

For I have heard the blasphemy of the multitude, and fear is on every side, while they conspire together against me, and take their counsel to take away my life.

{To the Chanter, Destroy Not, Michtam of David, when Saul sent to watch the house, to the intent to kill him} Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God, and defend me from them that rise up against me. O deliver me from the wicked doers, and save me from the bloodthirsty men.

"Hearken another similitude. There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and made a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a strange country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, to receive the fruits of it, and the husbandmen caught his servants, and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. read more.
Again, he sent other servants more than the first, and they served them likewise. But last of all, he sent unto them his own son, saying, 'They will fear my son.' But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir: come on, let us kill him, and let us take his inheritance, to ourselves.' And they caught him, and thrust him out of the vineyard, and slew him.

Then said the princes unto the king, "Sir, we beseech you let this man be put to death; For thus he discourageth the hands of the soldiers that be in this city, and the hands of all the people, when he speaketh such words unto them. This man verily laboureth not for peace of the people, but mischief." Zedekiah the king answered and said, "Lo, he is in your hands, for the king may deny you nothing." Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that dwelt in the fore entry of the prison. And they let down Jeremiah with cords into a dungeon, where there was no water, but mire.

{A song of the stairs} Many a time have they fought against me from my youth up, may Israel now say. Yea, many a time have they vexed me from my youth up, but they have not overcome me.

And he said thereto, "Wherefore doth my lord persecute his servant? For what have I done? Or what evil is in mine hand?

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, must suffer persecutions.

Brethren, if I yet preach circumcision: why do I then yet suffer persecution? For then had the offense which the cross giveth, ceased.

"O LORD," said I then, "thou knowest all things. Therefore remember me, and visit me, deliver me from my persecutors: Receive not my cause in thy long wrath; yet thou knowest, that for thy sake I suffer rebuke.

As many as desire with outward appearance to please carnally, they constrain you to be circumcised, only because they would not suffer persecution with the cross of Christ.

But as then he that was born carnally, persecuted him that was born spiritually; Even so is it now.

Others tasted of mockings, and scourgings, moreover of bonds and prisonment:

what time as the king of Babylon's Host laid siege unto Jerusalem. But Jeremiah the prophet lay bound in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house:

Then said these men, "We will get no quarrel against this Daniel, except it be in the law of his God." Upon this, went the princes and lords together unto the king, and said thus unto him, "King Darius, God save thy life forever. All the great estates of the realm - as the princes, dukes, senators and judges - are determined to put out a commandment of the king, and to make a sure statute. Namely, that whoso desireth any petition, either of any god or man within this thirty days, except it be only of thee, O king: the same person may be cast into the lions' den. read more.
Wherefore, O king, confirm thou this statute, and make a writing: that the thing which the Medes and Persians have ordained be not altered nor broken." So Darius made the writing, and confirmed it. Now when Daniel understood that the writing was made, he went into his house: and the windows of his hall toward Jerusalem stood open. There kneeled he down upon his knees, three times a day: there he made his petition, and praised his God, like as his manner was to do afore time. Then these men made search, and found Daniel making his petition and praying unto his God. So they came to the king, and spake before him concerning his commandment, saying, "O king, hast thou not subscribed the statute, that within thirty days whoso requireth his petition of any god or man, but only of thyself, O king, he shall be cast into the den of the lions?" The king answered, and said, "It is true. It must be as a law of the Medes and Persians, that may not be broken." Then answered they, and said unto the king, "Daniel one of the prisoners of Judah, O king, regardeth neither thee nor thy statute that thou hast made, but maketh his petition three times a day." When the king heard these words, he was sore grieved, and would have excused Daniel, to deliver him, and put off the matter until the sun went down, to the intent that he might save him. These men, perceiving the king's mind, said unto him, "Know this, O king: that the law of the Medes and Persians is, that the commandment and statute which the king maketh, may not be altered." Then the king had them bring Daniel, and cast him into the Lions' den. The king also spake unto Daniel, and said, "Thy God whom thou always servest, even he shall defend thee." And there was brought a stone, and laid upon the hole of the den: this the king sealed with his own ring, and with the signet of his princes: that the king's commandment concerning Daniel, should not be broken.

{Shin} The princes persecute me without cause; but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

yet hath no roots in himself, and therefore dureth but a season: for as soon as tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he falleth.

And Pharaoh heard of it and went about to slay Moses: but he fled from Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian, and he sat down by a well's side.

And Moses cried unto the LORD saying, "What shall I do unto this people? They be almost ready to stone me!"

Then said Jesus unto him, "Put up thy sword into his sheath. For all they that lay hands on the sword, shall perish with the sword.

and say, 'Thus sayeth the king. Put ye this fellow in the prison house and feed him with bread and water straightly, until I return in peace.'"

But I say unto you, Love your enemies. Bless them that curse you. Do good to them that hate you. Pray for them which do you wrong and persecute you;

Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit their souls to him with well doing, as unto a faithful creator.

If any man suffer as a Christian man, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify God on his behalf.

Then there arose certain of the Synagogue, which are called Libertines, and Cyrenians, and of Alexandria, and of Cilicia, and of Asia: and disputed with Stephen. And they could not resist the wisdom, and the spirit, with which he spake. Then sent they in men which said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God," read more.
and they moved the people, and the elders, and the scribes: and they came upon him and caught him, and brought him to the council, and brought forth false witnesses which said, "This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law, for we heard him say, 'This Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the ordinances which Moses gave unto us.'" And all that sat in the council looked steadfastly on him, and saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Bless them which persecute you: bless, but curse not.

and the husbandmen caught his servants, and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first, and they served them likewise.

saying, "God hath forsaken him. Persecute him, and take him, for there is none to help him."

While the ungodly hath the overhand, the poor must suffer persecution; let them be taken in the crafty wiliness that they have imagined!

But I offer my back unto the smiters, and my cheeks to the nippers. I turn not my face from shame and spitting,

Who shall separate us from the love of God? Shall tribulation? Or anguish? Or persecution, other hunger? Other nakedness? Other peril? Other sword?

He suffered wrong and was evil entreated, and yet opened not his mouth: he was as a sheep led to be slain: and as a lamb before his shearer, he was dumb and opened not his mouth.

But the Jews moved the worshipful and honorable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas: and expelled them out of their coasts.

and when they had beaten them sore, they cast them into prison commanding the jailer to keep them surely.

While the ungodly hath the overhand, the poor must suffer persecution; let them be taken in the crafty wiliness that they have imagined!

For Herod had taken John and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. For John said unto him, "It is not lawful for thee to have her." And when he would have put him to death, he feared the people, because they counted him as a prophet. read more.
But when Herod's birthday was come, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. Wherefore he promised with an oath, that he would give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being informed of her mother before, said, "Give me here John Baptist's head in a platter." And the King sorrowed: nevertheless for his oath's sake, and for their sakes, which sat also at the table, he commanded it to be given her. And sent and beheaded John in the prison, and his head was brought in a platter, and given to the damsel, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came, and took up his body, and buried it: And went and told Jesus.

When the men of the city were up early in the morning: Behold the altar of Baal was broken, and the grove that stood about it cut down. And the second ox offered upon the altar that was made. And they said one to another, "Who hath done this thing?" And they enquired and asked. And it was told them that Gideon the son of Joash had done it. Then the men of the city said unto Joash, "Bring out thy son that he may die, because he hath broken the altar of Baal, and cut down the grove that was about it." read more.
And Joash said unto all that stood by him, "Will ye fight for Baal, or will ye be his defenders? He that striveth for him shall die this morning. If he be a god, let him strive with him that cast down his altar!" And he called Gideon "Jerubbaal" the same time, saying "Let Baal strive with him because he hath broken down his altar."

Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them, which showed before of the coming of that Just, whom ye have betrayed and murdered.

and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

In that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the congregation.

And such things will they do unto you, because they have not known the father, neither yet me.

Now were there certain men of the Chaldeans that went even then and accused the Jews, and said unto the king Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, God save thy life forever. Thou being king hast given a commandment, that all men when they hear noise of the trumpets, harps, shawmes psalteries, symphonies and all the other melodies: shall fall down and bow themselves toward the golden Image. read more.
Whoso then fell not down and worshipped not, that he should be cast in to a hot burning oven. Now are there certain Jews, whom thou hast set over the offices of the land of Babylon: namely, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, regard not thy commandment; yea they will not serve thy gods, nor bow themselves to the golden Image, that thou hast set up." Then Nebuchadnezzar in a cruel wrath and displeasure, commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego should be brought unto him. So these men were brought before the king. Then Nebuchadnezzar spake unto them, and said, "What? O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: will not ye serve my gods? Nor bow yourselves to the golden Image, that I have set up? Well, be ready hereafter, when ye hear the noise of the trumpets blow with the harps, shawmes psalteries, symphonies and all the other melodies: that ye fall down, and worship the Image which I have made. But if ye worship it not, ye shall be cast immediately in to a hot burning oven. Let's see what God is there, that may deliver you out of my hands!" Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, an said, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we ought not to consent unto thee in this matter. For why? Our God whom we serve, is able to keep us from the hot burning oven, O king, and can right well deliver us out of thy hands: And if he will not, yet shalt thou know, O king, that we will not serve thy Gods, nor do reverence to the Image which thou hast set up." Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of indignation, so that the countenance of his face changed upon Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Therefore he charged and commanded, that the oven should be made seven times hotter, than it was wont to be: and spake unto the strongest worthies that were in his house, for to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them in to the hot burning oven. So these men were bound in their coats, hosen, shoes with their other garments, and cast into the hot burning oven. For the king's commandment was so straight, and the oven was exceeding hot. As for the men that put in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the flame of the fire destroyed them. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fell down in the hot burning oven, being fast bound.

"And unto the angel of the congregation of Smyrna write, 'These things saith he that is first, and the last, which was dead and is alive: I know thy works and tribulation and poverty, but thou art rich. And I know the blasphemy of them which call themselves Jews and are not, but are the congregation of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil shall cast of you into prison, to tempt you, and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be faithful unto the death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

The high priests therefore held a council that they might put Lazarus to death also,

Whereupon Asa was wroth with the seer and put him in the converting house, for he was displeased with him because of that. Moreover Asa oppressed certain of the people the same season.

Which fetched Uriah out of Egypt, and brought him unto king Jehoiakim that slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the common people's grave.

Know the brother Timothy, whom we have sent from us, with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

and I persecuted this way unto the death: binding, and delivering into prison both men and women,

Saul had pleasure in his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the congregation which was at Jerusalem, and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Jewry and Samaria, except the apostles.

insomuch that when Jezebel destroyed the Prophets of the LORD, he took a hundred of the Prophets and hid them, fifty in one cave and fifty in another, and provided bread and water for them.

And they compelled one that passed by, called Simon of Cyrene, which came out of the field, and was father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

Then he said, "God do so and so to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat tarry on him this day!"

I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is, and thou keepest my name and hast not denied my faith. And in my days Antipas was a faithful witness of mine, which was slain among you where Satan dwelleth.

And he killed James the brother of John with the sword:

And they said, "Come hither." And they said, "Camest thou not in to sojourn, and wilt thou be now a judge? We will surely deal worse with thee than with them. And as they pressed sore upon Lot and began to break up the door,

{Gimel} Judah is taken prisoner, because she was defiled: and for serving so many strange gods, she dwelleth now among the heathen. She findeth no rest: all they that persecuted her, took her in strait places where she could not escape.

John, your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience which is in Jesus Christ, was in the isle of Patmos for the word of God, and for the witnessing of Jesus Christ.

Yet there shall not one hair of your heads perish.

And they departed from the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for his name.

When Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. Of hope, and of resurrection from death I am judged."

because that thou mayest know that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to pray. And that they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, either raising up the people, neither in the synagogues nor in the city. Neither can they prove the things whereof they accuse me. read more.
But this I confess unto thee, that after that way, which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets, and have hope towards God, that the same resurrection from death, which they themselves look for also, shall be both of just and unjust.

Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall falsely say all manner of evil sayings against you for my sake.

{Shiggaion of David, which he sang for the words of Cush the son of Benjamin} O LORD my God, in thee have I put my trust; save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me,

My time is in thy hand; deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

All thy commandments are true. They persecute me falsely; O be thou my help.

Many there are that trouble me, and persecute me; yet do I not swerve from thy testimonies.

{Shin} The princes persecute me without cause; but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil shall cast of you into prison, to tempt you, and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be faithful unto the death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Then shall they put you to trouble, and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake:

Beware of men: for they shall deliver you up to the councils, and shall scourge you in their synagogues;

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you: delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prison: and bring you before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

Remember the saying, that I said unto you, 'The servant is not greater than the Lord.' If they have persecuted me, so will they persecute you. If they have kept my saying, so will they keep yours.

And Herod, with his men of war, despised him, and mocked him; And arrayed him in white, and sent him again to Pilate.

And therefore the Jews did persecute Jesus, and sought the means to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day.

and rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him even unto the edge of the hill, whereon their city was built, to cast him down headlong.

After that Jesus went about into Galilee, and would not go about in Jewry, for the Jews sought to kill him.

I know that ye are Abraham's seed: but ye seek means to kill me because my sayings have no place in you.

Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall falsely say all manner of evil sayings against you for my sake.