Only the Wicked Persecute the Righteous

1 Be contentious, brothers and sisters, and jealous about the things that pertain to salvation. 2 You have searched the scriptures, which are true, which were given through the Holy Spirit. 3 and you know that nothing unrighteous or counterfeit is written in them. You will not find that righteous persons have been driven out by holy men. 4 Righteous men were persecuted, but it was by the lawless; they were imprisoned, but it was by the unholy. They were stoned by transgressors: they were killed by those who had conceived a detestable and unrighteous jealousy. 5 Suffering these things, they endured nobly. 6 For what shall we say, brothers and sisters? Was Daniel thrown into the lions’ den by those who feared God?⁠a 7 Or were Ananias and Azarias and Misael shut up in the furnace of fire by those who practiced the excellent and glorious worship of the Most High? Far be this from our thoughts. Who then did these things? Abominable men, full of all wickedness, were stirred up to such a pitch of anger that they brought cruel suffering on those who served God with a holy and blameless purpose, not knowing that the Most High is the champion and protector of those who serve His excellent Name with a pure conscience: to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 8 But those who endured patiently in confidence inherited glory and honor; they were exalted, and had their names recorded by God in their memorial forever and ever. Amen.