<p class="poetry">&#8220;Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">Now because Jesus was doing these things<n id="1" /> on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders<n id="2" /> began persecuting<n id="3" /> him.

but Israel even though pursuing<n id="1" /> a law of righteousness<n id="2" /> did not attain it.<n id="3" />

Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality.

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

<p class="bodytext">So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another.

We do hard work, toiling with our own hands. When we are verbally abused, we respond with a blessing, when persecuted, we endure,

<t /><p class="bodytext">Pursue love and be eager for the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

we are persecuted, but not abandoned;<n id="1" /> we are knocked down,<n id="2" /> but not destroyed,

But just as at that time the one born by natural descent<n id="1" /> persecuted the one born according to the Spirit,<n id="2" /> so it is now.

In my zeal for God I persecuted the church. According to the righteousness stipulated in the law I was blameless.

Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

<p class="otpoetry"><b><i>And he must turn away from evil and do good;i>b>p> <p class="otpoetry"><i><b>he must seek peace and pursue itb>.i>p>

Remember what<n id="1" /> I told you, &#8216;A slave<n id="2" /> is not greater than his master.&#8217;<n id="3" /> If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they obeyed<n id="4" /> my word, they will obey<n id="5" /> yours too.

But I say to you, love your enemy and<n id="1" /> pray for those who persecute you,

Then people<n id="1" /> will say to you, &#8216;Look, there he is!&#8217;<n id="2" /> or &#8216;Look, here he is!&#8217; Do not go out or chase after them.<n id="3" />

He<n id="1" /> fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, &#8220;Saul, Saul,<n id="2" /> why are you persecuting me?&#8221;<n id="3" />

So he said, &#8220;Who are you, Lord?&#8221; He replied, &#8220;I am Jesus whom you are persecuting!

I<n id="1" /> persecuted this Way<n id="2" /> even to the point of death,<n id="3" /> tying up<n id="4" /> both men and women and putting<n id="5" /> them in prison,

Then I<n id="1" /> fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, &#8216;Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?&#8217;