Then the High Priest stood forward, and questioned Jesus. "Have you no answer to make?" he asked. "What is this evidence which these men are giving against you?"

The passers-by railed at him, shaking their heads, as they said: "Ah! you who 'destroy the Temple and build one in three days,

They blindfolded him and then questioned him. "Now play the Prophet," they said; "who was it that struck you?"

So he questioned him at some length, but Jesus made no reply.

"Are not we right, after all," replied the Jews, "in saying that you are a Samaritan, and are possessed by a demon?"

And, going into the Government House again, he said to Jesus: "Where do you come from?"

The passage of Scripture which he was reading was this--'Like a sheep, he was led away to slaughter, and as a lamb is dumb in the hands of its shearer, so he refrains from opening his lips.

Weigh well the example of him who had to endure such opposition from 'men who were sinning against themselves,' so that you should not grow weary or faint-hearted.

Threatened

Now, therefore, O Lord, mark their threats, and enable thy servants, with all fearlessness, to tell thy Message,

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the High Priest,

And masters, treat your slaves in the same spirit. Give up threatening them; for you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in Heaven, and that before him there is no distinction of rank.

Judgeth

Because he has fixed a day on which he intends to 'judge the world with justice,' by a man whom he has appointed--and of this he has given all men a pledge by raising this man from the dead."

Hard-hearted and impenitent as you are, you are storing up for yourself Wrath on the 'Day of Wrath,' when God's justice as a judge will be revealed;

These persecutions will vindicate the justice of God's judgment, and will result in your being reckoned worthy of God's Kingdom, for the sake of which you are now afflicted;

And now the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just Judge, will give me on 'That Day'--and not only to me, but to all who have loved his Appearing.

Then I saw that Heaven lay open. There appears a white horse; its rider is called 'Faithful' and 'True'; righteously does he judge and make war.

General references

I, however, say to you--Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,

While charges were being brought against him by the Chief Priests and Councillors, Jesus made no reply.

Bless your persecutors--bless and never curse.