60 Bible Verses about Persecution

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

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

I am come to cast fire into the earth; and what do I desire, except that it be kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how I am anguished until it is accomplished! Think ye that I am come to the earth to give peace? No, I tell you, but rather division; read more.
for from now on 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 say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.

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

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

And the same time there arose no small stir about the way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen, whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation and said, Sirs, ye know that by this gain we have our wealth. read more.
Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands so that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion, and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. And certain of the chief persons of Asia, who were his friends, sent unto him, asking him that he not present himself in the theatre. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was confused; and most of them did not know why they were come together. And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand and would have made his defense unto the people. But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. Then the town scribe, appeasing the people, said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that does not know how the city of the Ephesians is honored of the great goddess Diana and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Seeing then that these things cannot be gainsaid, ye ought to be quiet and to do nothing rashly. For ye have brought here these men, who are neither guilty of sacrilege, nor blasphemers of your goddess. Therefore if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are proconsuls; let them accuse one another. But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. For we are in danger of being accused of sedition for this day's uproar, there being no cause by which we may give an account of this concourse. And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

Because, brothers, we would not have you ignore our tribulation which was done unto us in Asia, that we were burdened beyond our strength, in such a manner that we despaired even of life:

But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the people. And then immediately the brethren sent Paul to go away towards the sea, but Silas and Timothy abode there still. And those that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens; and receiving an order from him unto Silas and Timothy to come unto him as soon as possible, they departed.

And all that desire to live godly in Christ Jesus shall also suffer persecution.

For I think that God has set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death; for we are made a spectacle unto the world and to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst and are ill clad and are buffeted and have no certain dwellingplace read more.
and labour, working with our own hands; being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; being blasphemed, we intreat; we are made as the filth of this world and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! And Jesus, answering, 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 upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, read more.
Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all things are to be finished? And Jesus, answering them, began to say, Take heed that no one deceive you, for many shall come in my name, saying, I Am Christ, and shall deceive many. And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled, for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. For people shall rise against people and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be earthquakes in each place, and there shall be famines and troubles: these shall be the beginnings of sorrows. But take heed to yourselves, for they shall deliver you up in the councils, and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten; and ye shall be called before rulers and kings for my sake for a testimony unto them. And the gospel needs to be preached unto all the Gentiles first. But when they shall bring you to deliver you up, do not premeditate beforehand what ye shall speak, neither think ye regarding it, but whatever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye, for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now the brother shall deliver the brother unto death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents and shall kill them. And ye shall be hated by everyone for my name, but he that shall persevere unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore prudent as serpents and innocent as doves. But keep yourselves from men, for they will deliver you up in councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall even be brought before princes and kings for my sake, for testimony unto 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 in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. And brother shall deliver up brother unto death, and the father the child, and children shall rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name, but he that endures to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another, for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel until the Son of man be come. The disciple is not above his master, nor the slave above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the slave as his lord. If they have called the husband of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call those of his household?

And Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and his disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the age? read more.
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no one deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ, and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars; see that ye be not troubled, for it is necessary that all these things must take place; but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in different places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they shall deliver you up to be afflicted 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 another.

O LORD my God, in thee I have put my trust: save me from all those that persecute me, and deliver me

My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those that persecute me.

All thy commandments are of the same truth; they persecute me wrongfully; help me.

Many are my persecutors and my enemies; yet I do not deviate from thy testimonies.

SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of thy words.

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer; behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.

Then they shall deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

But keep yourselves from men, for they will deliver you up in councils, and they will 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 prisons, being brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.

Remember the word that I said unto you, The slave is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.

and found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla (for Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome) and came unto them.

At that time Rezin, king of Syria, recovered Elath to Syria and drove the Jews from Elath; and the Syrians came to Elath and dwelt there unto this day.

And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.

They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them at once; they have burned up all the meeting places of the people of God in the earth.

They have said, Come and let us cut them off from being a people that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet; but the LORD hid them.

Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them curses me.

for then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem; and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the guard, which was in the king of Judah's house.

O LORD, thou knowest: remember me and visit me and revenge me of my enemies; do not take me away in the prolongation of thy anger, know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time while he was yet shut up in the court of the guard, saying,

And Herod with his court despised him and mocked him and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe and sent him again to Pilate.

And for this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill him: because he had done these things on a sabbath.

and rose up and thrust him out of the city and led him unto the brow of the hill upon which their city was built that they might cast him down headlong.

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee, for he would not walk in Judea because the Jews sought to kill him.

I know that ye are Abraham's seed, but ye seek to kill me because my word has no place in you.

who delivered us from so great a death and does deliver; in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

He answered and said, Behold, 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 Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, Blessed be the God of these, of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants that trusted in him and have changed the king's word and yielded their bodies that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God

persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, persecutions I have endured, and the Lord delivered me out of them all.

And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord and said, Lord, thou art the God, who hast made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, who (in the Holy Spirit) by the mouth of thy servant David (our father) hast said, Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples imagine vain things? The kings of the earth were present, and the princes were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ. read more.
For of a truth against thy holy servant Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together (in this city),

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, came unto the prince of the priests and asked him for 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. And as he proceeded, he came near Damascus; and suddenly there shone round about him a light from heaven; read more.
and falling to the earth, he heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I AM Jesus whom thou dost persecute; it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

I AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he shall take away; and every one that bears fruit, he shall purge that they may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. read more.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abides in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I AM the vine, ye are the branches: he that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing. He who does not abide in me shall be cast forth as an unsound branch and shall wither, and they are gathered and cast into the fire and are burned. If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. In this is my Father clarified, in that ye bear much fruit; and in this manner ye shall be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If ye 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 I have spoken unto you that my joy may abide in you and that your joy might be fulfilled. This is my commandment, That ye love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his soul for his friends. Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you. From now on I do not call you slaves, for the slave does not know 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. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it unto you. This I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hates you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The slave is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things unto you for my name's sake, because they do not know him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. He that hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them works which no other man has done, they would not have sin; but now they have seen them and hate both me and my Father. But this comes to pass that the word 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 who had made him whole. And for this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill him: because he had done these things on a sabbath. But Jesus answered them, My Father works until now, and I work. read more.
Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

And it came to pass that, as I made my journey and was come near unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I Am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou dost persecute.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in dreams, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt and remain there until I bring thee word, for Herod will seek the young child to kill him.

But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another, for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel until the Son of man be come.

Then the Pharisees went out and took council against him that they might destroy him. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from there; and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

But now those that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock. For, unto what might the strength of their hands profit me, in whom time was lost? For want and famine they walked alone; fleeing into solitude, to the dark place, desolate and waste. read more.
Who cut up mallows among the bushes and juniper roots for their food. They were driven forth from among men (they cried after them as after a thief). They dwelt in the clifts of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks. Among the bushes they brayed; under the nettles they were gathered together. They were sons of fools and men without names; they were lower than the earth. And now I am their song, and I am their byword. They abhor me, they distance themselves from me, and do not spare to spit in my face.

That ye are certainly forgers of lies; ye are all physicians of no value. O that ye would altogether be silent! And it would be unto you instead of wisdom. Hear now my dispute, and hearken to the arguments of my lips. read more.
Are ye to speak iniquity for God? Are ye to speak deceitfully for him? Are ye to bring honour unto him? Are ye to contend for God? Would it be good for him to search you out? As one man mocks another, do ye so mock him? He will reprove you severely, if in secret you give him such honour. Certainly his excellency should make you afraid, and his dread should fall upon you. Your memories shall be compared unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay. Listen to me, and I will speak, and afterward let come on me what will.

Then Job answered and said, Many times I have heard such things; miserable comforters are ye all. Shall vain words have an end? Or what is it that emboldens thee to answer? read more.
I also could speak as ye do. I wish your soul were in my soul's stead, that I could heap up words against you and shake my head at you.

Now there are only mockers with me, upon whose bitterness my eye continues to gaze.

And Job replied and said, How long will ye anguish my soul and break me in pieces with words? These ten times ye have reproached me; are ye not ashamed to make yourselves strange to me? read more.
And if indeed I have erred, my error shall remain with me. If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me and reprove me of my reproach,

If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what does it advantage me, if the dead do not rise? let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die.

If in this life only we have existence in Christ, we are the most miserable of all men.

I John, your brother and participant in the tribulation and in the kingdom and in the patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

And they laid hands on them and put them in jail unto the next day, for it was now evening. But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men was about five thousand. And it came to pass on the next day that their princes and elders and scribes read more.
and Annas, the high 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 when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power or by what name have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye princes of the people and elders of Israel, if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent 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, whom God raised from the dead, even by him does this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men in which we can be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled, and they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle has been done by them is manifest to all those that dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them that from now on they speak to no man in this name. And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

and laid their 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, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. read more.
And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning and taught. In the meantime, the prince of the priests came, and those that were with him, and called the council together and all the elders of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came and found them not in the prison, they returned and told, saying, We certainly found the prison shut with all security and the keepers standing outside before the doors, but when we had opened, we found no one within. Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the princes of the priests heard these things, they were perplexed regarding what this would come to. Then someone came and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people. Then the captain with the officers went and brought them without violence, for they feared being stoned by the people. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council, and the prince of the priests asked them, saying, Did we not strictly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We must persuade God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree. God has exalted him with his right hand as Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those that persuade him. When they heard that, they were divided and took counsel to slay them. Then a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, who had a reputation among all the people, stood up in the council and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space and said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as concerning these men. For before these days, rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves; who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing and drew away many people after him; he also perished, and all those that consented with him were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men and let them alone; for if this counsellor or this work is of men, it will come to nought, but if it is of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest ye be found fighting against God. And they agreed with him; and when they had called the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus the Christ.

Now at that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to mistreat certain of the congregation . And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) read more.
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him, intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in the prison, and the congregation made prayer without unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and the guards before the door that kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shone in the prison, and he smote Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, Arise 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 thy garment about thee and follow me. And he went out and followed him and knew not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard, they came unto the iron gate that leads unto the city, which opened to them of its own accord, and they went out and passed on through one street, and then the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety that the Lord has sent his angel and has delivered me out of the hand of Herod and from all the people of the Jews who waited for me. And considering this, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the patio, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she recognized Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in and told how Peter stood at the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then they said, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking, and when they had opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to be silent, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go make these things known unto James and to the brethren. And he departed and went to another place. Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers concerning what was become of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him and found him not, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be taken away. Then he went down from Judaea to Caesarea and abode there.

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and into prisons, being brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.

Remember the word that I said unto you, The slave is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.

who shall not receive one hundredfold now in this time: houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the world to come eternal life.

Now those who were scattered abroad by the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch, preaching the word to no one except only unto the Jews. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they came into Antioch, spoke unto the Greeks, preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord.

And Saul was consenting unto 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 Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

But those that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word of the gospel.

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel, so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace and in all other places; and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

concerning zeal, a persecutor of the congregation ; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

who was before a blasphemer and a persecutor and injurious, but I was received unto mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

And for this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill him: because he had done these things on a sabbath.

who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and have persecuted us, and they do not please God and are contrary to all men,

Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are more and mightier than we. Now, therefore, let us be wise concerning him, that he not multiply and it come to pass that when war comes, he shall also join with our enemies and fight against us and so leave the land. read more.
Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built the supply cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew, so much that they loathed the sons of Israel. And the Egyptians made the sons of Israel serve with rigor, and they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, making mortar and brick and in all manner of service in the field; all their service, in which they made them serve, was with rigor.

seeing it is a just thing with God to recompense tribulation to those that trouble you

He has also prepared for him the weapons of death; he ordains his arrows against the persecutors.

For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has smitten my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.

Koph Our persecutors were swifter than the eagles of the heaven; they pursued us upon the mountains; they laid wait for us in the wilderness.

Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in the heavens; for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Blessed are ye when men shall hate you and when they shall separate you from their company and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil for the sake of the Son of man. Rejoice ye in that day and leap for joy; for, behold, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers treated the prophets in the same manner.

Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him, and, behold, he sat on the top of a mountain. And he spoke unto him, Man of God, the king has commanded thee to come down.

Then he went up from there unto Bethel, and as he was going up by the way, the young men of the city came forth and mocked him, saying, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.

As the LORD thy God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent to seek thee; and when they all said, He is not here; he has caused kingdoms and nations to swear an oath if they have found thee or not.

lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

And those that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them and make merry and shall send gifts one to another because these two prophets tormented those that dwelt on the earth.

Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in the heavens; for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of the afflictions of the Christ, so that also in the revelation of his glory, ye may rejoice in triumph.

that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye murdered between the temple and the altar.

Not as Cain, who was of the wicked one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

And Cain talked with Abel his brother, and it came to pass when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him.

For thus hath the LORD of the hosts said; After the glory he shall send me unto the Gentiles which spoiled you, for he that touches you touches the apple of his eye.

and falling to the earth, he heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I AM Jesus whom thou dost persecute; it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women and the principals of the city and raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them out of their borders.

I verily had thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which things I also did in Jerusalem, and I shut up many of the saints in prison, having received authority from the princes of the priests, and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.

O LORD my God, in thee I have put my trust: save me from all those that persecute me, and deliver me

All thy commandments are of the same truth; they persecute me wrongfully; help me.

And Saul was consenting unto 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 Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in Judaism, how that beyond measure I was persecuting and destroying the congregation of God

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, came unto the prince of the priests and asked him for 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. And as he proceeded, he came near Damascus; and suddenly there shone round about him a light from heaven; read more.
and falling to the earth, he heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I AM Jesus whom thou dost persecute; it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he 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 it behooves thee to do. And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing indeed the voice, but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the earth; and opening his eyes, he saw no one; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus where he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; to whom the Lord said in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the street which is called Straight and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus; for, behold, he prays and has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, of how much evil he has done to thy saints in Jerusalem, and even here he has authority from the princes of the priests to bind all that call on thy name.

For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten, and they boast that thou hast slain their enemies.

The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

Blessed are ye when men shall hate you and when they shall separate you from their company and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil for the sake of the Son of man.

Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens.

If I had not done among them works which no other man has done, they would not have sin; but now they have seen them and hate both me and my Father.

Remember the word that I said unto you, The slave is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.

For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten, and they boast that thou hast slain their enemies.

And for this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill him: because he had done these things on a sabbath.

Then the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah and carry him back unto Amon, the governor of the city, and to Joash, the king's son

and say, Thus hath the king said, Put this fellow in the prison and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction until I return in peace.

that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye murdered between the temple and the altar.

And they conspired against him and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.

And that we may be delivered from perverse and wicked men, for the faith is not of everyone.

and labour, working with our own hands; being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it;

Then the same day at evening, being the first of the sabbaths, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst and said unto them, Peace be unto you.

They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

These words spoke his parents because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone did confess that he was the Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

And it shall come to pass when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse which I have set before thee, and thou shalt return unto thy heart among all the Gentiles, where the LORD thy God shall have driven thee, and shalt convert unto the LORD thy God and shalt hear his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart and with all thy soul, then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity and have mercy upon thee and will return and gather thee from all the peoples where the LORD thy God has scattered thee. read more.
If thou hast been driven out unto the outmost parts of the heavens, from there will the LORD thy God gather thee and from there will he take thee; and the LORD thy God will return thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt inherit it; and he will do thee good and multiply thee more than thy fathers. And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul, that thou may live. And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies and on those that hate thee, who persecuted thee.

persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

For I have heard the slander of many; fear was on every side; while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; defend me from those that rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity and save me from bloodthirsty men.

Hear another parable: There was a certain husband of a house who planted a vineyard and hedged it round about and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and let it out to husbandmen and went into a far country, and when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his slaves to the husbandmen that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his slaves and beat one and killed another and stoned another. read more.
Again, he sent other slaves more than the first, and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us take his inheritance. And they took hold of him and cast him out of the vineyard and slew him.

Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakens the hands of the men of war that remain in this city and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them; for this man does not seek the peace of this people, but the hurt. Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand, for the king can not do any thing against you. Then they took Jeremiah and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the guard: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire; so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say: Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.

And he said, Why does my lord thus pursue after his slave? What have I done? What evil is in my hand?

And all that desire to live godly in Christ Jesus shall also suffer persecution.

And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? Then is the offence of the cross ceased.

O LORD, thou knowest: remember me and visit me and revenge me of my enemies; do not take me away in the prolongation of thy anger, know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.

As many as desire to please in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised, only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of the Christ.

But as then he that was born according to the flesh persecuted him that was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.

and others experienced cruel mockings and scourgings, and added to this, bonds and imprisonment;

for then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem; and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the guard, which was in the king of Judah's house.

Then these men said, We shall never find any occasion against this Daniel except we find it against him in the law of his God. Then these governors and presidents assembled together before the king and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. All the presidents of the kingdom, magistrates, governors, great ones, and captains have agreed in common accord to promote a royal decree and to confirm it that whoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, except of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. read more.
Now, O king, confirm the decree and sign the writing that it not be moved, according to the law of Media and of Persia, which does not change. Therefore King Darius signed the writing and the decree. Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he entered into his house; and with the windows open toward Jerusalem in his dining chamber, he knelt three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God as he was used to doing before. Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. Then they went and spoke before the king concerning the royal decree; Hast thou not confirmed a decree that whoever shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Media and Persia, which does not change. Then they answered and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the sons of the captivity of the Jews, has not regarded thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast confirmed, but makes his petition three times a day. When the king, heard the matter, it weighed very heavy upon him, and he set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured until the going down of the sun to deliver him. Then those men assembled near the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that this is the law of Media and of Persia: No decree nor statute which the king has confirmed may be moved. Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king, speaking unto Daniel, said, Thy God whom thou servest continually, may he deliver thee. And a stone was brought and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet ring of his princes that the agreement concerning Daniel might not be changed.

SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of thy words.

yet he has no root in himself but is temporal, for when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well.

Then Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.

Then Jesus said unto him, Put up again thy sword into its place, for all those that take the sword shall perish by the sword.

and say, Thus hath the king said, Put this fellow in the prison and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless those that curse you, do good to those that hate you, and pray for those who speak evil about you, and persecute you;

Therefore, let those that are afflicted according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls unto him as unto a faithful Creator, doing good.

But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians and Alexandrians and of those of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God. read more.
And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes and came upon him and caught him and brought him to the council and set up false witnesses, who said, This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place and shall change the traditions which Moses delivered us. Then all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

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

Bless those who persecute you: bless, and do not curse.

And the husbandmen took his slaves and beat one and killed another and stoned another. Again, he sent other slaves more than the first, and they did unto them likewise.

saying, God has forsaken him; persecute and take him for there is no one to deliver him.

The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

I gave my back to the smiters and my cheeks to those that plucked off the hair: I did not hide my face from shame and spitting.

Who shall separate us from the charity of Christ? shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword?

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he did not open his mouth.

But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women and the principals of the city and raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them out of their borders.

And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely,

The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

For Herod had laid hold on 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 multitude because they counted him as a prophet. read more.
But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever she would ask. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John the Baptist's head in a platter. And the king was sorry; nevertheless because of the oath and of those who sat with him at the table, he commanded it to be given her. And he 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 the body and buried it and went and told Jesus.

And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built. And they said one to another, Who has done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon, the son of Joash, has done this thing. Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son that he may die because he has cast down the altar of Baal and because he has cut down the grove that was by it. read more.
And Joash replied unto all that stood against him, Will ye contend for Baal? Will ye save him? Whoever will contend for him, let him be put to death while it is yet morning; if he is God, let him contend for himself with the one who has cast down his altar. Therefore, on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal contend against him because he has thrown down his altar.

Who of the prophets have your fathers not persecuted? and they have slain those who announced before the coming of the Just One, of whom ye have now been the betrayers and murderers,

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

Now at that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to mistreat certain of the congregation .

And they will do these things unto you because they do not know the Father, nor me.

Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. They spoke and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. Thou, O king, hast made a law that every man upon hearing the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and every musical instrument, shall fall down and worship the statue of gold; read more.
and whoever does not fall down and worship that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee; they do not worship thy gods, nor do they worship the statue of gold which thou hast raised up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that ye do not honour my gods, nor worship the statue of gold which I have set up? Now, are ye ready when ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and of every musical instrument to fall down and worship the statue which I made? For if ye do not worship, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, We are not careful to answer thee in this matter. Behold, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not worship thy god, nor honour the statue which thou hast raised up. Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; therefore he spoke, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was customary to be heated. And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their undergarments, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

And unto the angel of the congregation of Smyrna write: These things, saith the first and the last, who was dead, and is alive: I know thy works and tribulation and poverty, (but thou art rich), and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer; behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.

So the princes of the priests took counsel that they might also put Lazarus to death

Then Asa was wroth with the seer and put him in the prison house, for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa killed some of the people at the same time.

and they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt and brought him unto Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.

Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you.

And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

And Saul was consenting unto 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 Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

for when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took one hundred prophets and hid them in groups of fifty in caves and sustained them with bread and water.)

And they compel one Simon, a Cyrenian, who passed by coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross .

Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha, the son of Shaphat, shall remain upon him today.

I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's throne is, and thou holdest fast my name and hast not denied my faith, even in those days in which Antipas was my faithful witness, , who was slain among you, where Satan dwellest.

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

And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This fellow came in to sojourn and is he to lift himself up as judge? Now will we deal worse with thee than with them. And they did great violence to the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.

Gimel Judah is gone into captivity because of the affliction and because of the greatness of the servitude; she dwells among the Gentiles; she finds no rest; all her persecutors overtook her between the straits.

I John, your brother and participant in the tribulation and in the kingdom and in the patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

But not a hair of your head shall perish.

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

But 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, and of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

because thou art able to understand that there have been but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city, neither can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. read more.
But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call a sect, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets, and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

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

O LORD my God, in thee I have put my trust: save me from all those that persecute me, and deliver me

My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those that persecute me.

All thy commandments are of the same truth; they persecute me wrongfully; help me.

Many are my persecutors and my enemies; yet I do not deviate from thy testimonies.

SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of thy words.

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer; behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.

Then they shall deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

But keep yourselves from men, for they will deliver you up in councils, and they will 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 prisons, being brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.

Remember the word that I said unto you, The slave is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.

And Herod with his court despised him and mocked him and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe and sent him again to Pilate.

And for this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill him: because he had done these things on a sabbath.

and rose up and thrust him out of the city and led him unto the brow of the hill upon which their city was built that they might cast him down headlong.

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee, for he would not walk in Judea because the Jews sought to kill him.

I know that ye are Abraham's seed, but ye seek to kill me because my word has no place in you.

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