2Cor 4:7-12, 17, 11:23-27, 1Th 3:3-4, 2Ti 3:11-12, Heb 11:33-38 | ESV | STEP | But we have this treasure in jars of clay , to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us .

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Treasure in Jars of Clay

7 But we have this treasure in ^ajars of clay, ^bto show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are ^cafflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but ^dnot forsaken; ^estruck down, but not destroyed; 10 ^falways carrying in the body the death of Jesus, ^gso that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So ^hdeath is at work in us, but life in you.

2 Corinthians 4:17

17 For ⁱthis light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

2 Corinthians 11:23-27

23 Are they ^jservants of Christ? ^kI am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, ^lfar more imprisonments, ^mwith countless beatings, and ⁿoften near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the ^oforty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was ^pbeaten with rods. ^qOnce I was stoned. Three times I ^rwas shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, ^sdanger from my own people, ^tdanger from Gentiles, ^udanger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 ^vin toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, ^win hunger and thirst, often without food, ^{▼▼Or often in fasting} in cold and exposure.

1 Thessalonians 3:3-4

3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that ^ywe are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, ^zjust as it has come to pass, and just as you know.

2 Timothy 3:11-12

11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me ^aaat Antioch, ^abat Iconium, and ^acat Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet ^adfrom them all ^aethe Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to ^aflive a godly life in Christ Jesus ^agwill be persecuted,

Hebrews 11:33-38

33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, ^ahstopped the mouths of lions, 34 ^aiquenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, ^ajbecame mighty in war, ^akput foreign armies to flight. 35 ^alWomen received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even ^amchains and imprisonment. 37 ^anThey were stoned, they were sawn in two, ^{▼▼Some manuscripts add they were tempted} ^apthey were killed with the sword. ^aqThey went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy— ^arwandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.