But for this reason I was given mercy, so that in me, the chief of sinners, Jesus Christ might make clear all his mercy, as an example to those who in the future would have faith in him to eternal life.

By going through all these things, you will keep your lives.

Go on waiting calmly, my brothers, till the coming of the Lord, like the farmer waiting for the good fruit of the earth till the early and late rains have come.

Be as calm in your waiting; let your hearts be strong: because the coming of the Lord is near.

Here is the quiet strength of the saints, who keep the orders of God, and the faith of Jesus.

And waiting gives experience; and experience, hope:

Being glad in hope, quiet in trouble, at all times given to prayer,

But if we have hope for that which we see not, then we will be able to go on waiting for it.

The end of a thing is better than its start, and a gentle spirit is better than pride.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his word, as he seems to some, but he is waiting in mercy for you, not desiring the destruction of any, but that all may be turned from their evil ways.

I have knowledge of your works, and your love and faith and help and strength in trouble, and that your last works are more than the first.

Because you have the knowledge that the testing of your faith gives you the power of going on in hope;

And may your hearts be guided by the Lord into the love of God and quiet waiting for Christ.

With all gentle and quiet behaviour, taking whatever comes, putting up with one another in love;

Because you have kept my word in quiet strength, I will keep you from the hour of testing which is coming on all the world, to put to the test those who are on earth.

And self-control to knowledge, and a quiet mind to self-control, and fear of God to a quiet mind,

Full of strength in the measure of the great power of his glory, so that you may undergo all troubles with joy;

He who is slow to be angry is better than a man of war, and he who has control over his spirit than he who takes a town.

But be you strong and let not your hands be feeble, for your work will be rewarded.

Let your hope be in the Lord: take heart and be strong; yes, let your hope be in the Lord.

Have I strength to go on waiting, or have I any end to be looking forward to?

So that you may not be slow in heart, but may take as your example those to whom God has given their heritage, because of their faith and their long waiting.

And so, when he had been waiting calmly for a long time, God's word to him was put into effect.

Be not slow in your work, but be quick in spirit, as the Lord's servants;

For, having done what was right in God's eyes, you have need of waiting before his word has effect for you.

There is a blessing on the man who undergoes testing; because, if he has God's approval, he will be given the crown of life, which the Lord has said he will give to those who have love for him.

A man's good sense makes him slow to wrath, and the overlooking of wrongdoing is his glory.

And our desire is that you will keep control over those whose lives are not well ordered, giving comfort to the feeble-hearted, supporting those with little strength, and putting up with much from all.

And Jesus, hearing it, said to them, Those who are well have no need of a medical man, but those who are ill: I have come not to get the upright but sinners.

For it is not right for the Lord's servant to make trouble, but he is to be gentle to all, ready in teaching, putting up with wrong,

And being certain of this, I am conscious that I will go on, yes, and go on with you all, for your growth and joy in the faith;

For I was looking for good, and evil came; I was waiting for light, and it became dark.

What credit is it if, when you have done evil, you take your punishment quietly? but if you are given punishment for doing right, and take it quietly, this is pleasing to God.

To those who go on with good works in the hope of glory and honour and salvation from death, he will give eternal life:

He is the Rock, complete is his work; for all his ways are righteousness: a God without evil who keeps faith, true and upright is he.

Be in harmony with one another. Do not have a high opinion of yourselves, but be in agreement with common people. Do not give yourselves an air of wisdom.

Put up with me if I am a little foolish: but, truly, you do put up with me.

The Lord is slow to get angry and great in power, and will not let the sinner go without punishment: the way of the Lord is in the wind and the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

May the Lord give you and your children still greater increase.