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New Living Translation

Revelation 2:10

Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Afflictions and Adversities;   Blessing;   Crown;   Decision;   Faithfulness;   Heart;   Persecution;   Perseverance;   Prophecy;   Reward;   Righteous;   Satan;   Scofield Reference Index - Life;   Rewards;   Satan;   Thompson Chain Reference - Adversary;   Blessings-Afflictions;   Church;   Crowns;   Endowments;   Faithfulness-Unfaithfulness;   Fidelity;   Future, the;   Gifts;   God;   Persecution;   Promises, Divine;   Reward;   Satan;   Satan's;   Satan-Evil Spirits;   Serpent;   Spiritual;   Suffering for Righteousness' S;   Tempter;   Work, Satan's;   The Topic Concordance - Devil/devils;   Endurance;   Faith/faithfulness;   Fear;   Giving and Gifts;   Life;   Righteousness;   Suffering;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Affliction, Consolation under;   Afflictions Made Beneficial;   Death of Saints, the;   Faithfulness;   Martyrdom;   Reward of Saints, the;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Crown;   Encouragement;   Revelation, book of;   Ruler;   Satan;   Smyrna;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Crown;   Reward;   Satan;   Second Death;   Suffering;   Temptation, Test;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Pastor;   Patience of God;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Crown;   Devil;   Smyrna;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Antipas;   Crown;   Games;   Number;   Revelation of John, the;   Satan;   Smyrna;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Faithful;   Letter Form and Function;   Life;   Persecution in the Bible;   Revelation, the Book of;   Smyrna;   Suffering;   Temptation;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Asia;   Crown;   Love, Lover, Lovely, Beloved;   Magi;   Nicolas;   Smyrna;   Temptation;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Brotherly Love;   Devil ;   Faithfulness;   Games;   Numbers;   Numbers (2);   Perseverance;   Prize;   Righteous, Righteousness;   Sanctify, Sanctification;   Self- Denial;   Smyrna ;   Suffering;   Temptation, Trial;   Tribulation;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Crown;   Faithful,;   Revelation, the;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Sepharvaim;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Smyr'na;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Smyrna;   Triumphs;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Jesus of Nazareth;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Crown;   Day;   Games;   Life;   Persecution;   Revelation of John:;   Smyrna;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Crown;  

Devotionals:

- Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life - Devotion for December 2;   Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for August 3;   Every Day Light - Devotion for April 9;  

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Don't fret over the suffering that will happen soon. The devil will throw some of y'all in prison to test your courage. You will suffer for ten days, but if you remain faithful in the face of death, you will get the trophy buckle of life.
Bible in Basic English
Have no fear of the things which you will have to undergo: see, the Evil One will send some of you into prison, so that you may be put to the test; and you will have great trouble for ten days. Be true till death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Darby Translation
Fear nothing [of] what thou art about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast 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 to thee the crown of life.
World English Bible
Don't be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Fear none of those things which thou art about to suffer: behold the devil is about to cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried, and ye shall have affliction ten days: Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.
Weymouth's New Testament
Dismiss your fears concerning all that you are about to suffer. I tell you that the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison that you may be put to the test, and for ten days you will have to endure persecution. Be faithful to the End, even if you have to die, and then I will give you the victor's Wreath of Life.
King James Version (1611)
Feare none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the deuill shal cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried, and yee shall haue tribulation tenne dayes: bee thou faithfull vnto death, and I will giue thee a crowne of life.
Literal Translation
Do not at all fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw you into prison, so that you may be tried; and you will have affliction ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Feare none of tho thinges which thou shalt soffre. Beholde, ye deuell shal cast of you in to preson, to tempte you, and ye shal haue tribulacion x. dayes. Be faithfull vnto the deeth, and I wil geue ye a crowne of life.
Mace New Testament (1729)
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 a crown of life.
THE MESSAGE
"Fear nothing in the things you're about to suffer—but stay on guard! Fear nothing! The Devil is about to throw you in jail for a time of testing—ten days. It won't last forever. "Don't quit, even if it costs you your life. Stay there believing. I have a Life-Crown sized and ready for you.
Amplified Bible
'Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. Be aware that the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested [in your faith], and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful to the point of death [if you must die for your faith], and I will give you the crown [consisting] of life.
American Standard Version
Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to 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.
Revised Standard Version
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Feare none of thoo thynges which thou shalt soffre. Beholde the devyll shall caste of you into preson to tempte you and ye shall have tribulacion .x. dayes. Be faythfull vnto the deeth and I will geve the a croune of lyfe.
Update Bible Version
Don't at all fear the things which you are about to suffer: look, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Webster's Bible Translation
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil will cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful to death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Young's Literal Translation
`Be not afraid of the things that thou art about to suffer; lo, the devil is about to cast of you to prison, that ye may be tried, and ye shall have tribulation ten days; become thou faithful unto death, and I will give to thee the crown of the life.
New Century Version
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer for ten days. But be faithful, even if you have to die, and I will give you the crown of life.
New English Translation
Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself.
Berean Standard Bible
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Contemporary English Version
Don't worry about what you will suffer. The devil will throw some of you into jail, and you will be tested and made to suffer for ten days. But if you are faithful until you die, I will reward you with a glorious life.
Complete Jewish Bible
Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Adversary is going to have some of you thrown in prison, in order to put you to the test; and you will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful, even to the point of death; and I will give you life as your crown.
English Standard Version
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Feare none of those things, which thou shalt suffer: beholde, it shall come to passe, that the deuill shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tryed, and ye shall haue tribulation tenne dayes: be thou faithfull vnto the death, and I will giue thee the crowne of life.
George Lamsa Translation
Fear none of those things which you shall suffer: behold, the devil will cast some of you into prison, that you be tried; and you will be oppressed for ten days: be faithful even to death, and I will give you a crown of life.
Christian Standard Bible®
Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will have affliction for 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Hebrew Names Version
Don't be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.
International Standard Version
Don't be afraid of what you are going to suffer. Look! The devil is going to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested. For ten days you will undergo suffering. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the victor's crown of life.Matthew 10:22; 24:13; James 1:12; Revelation 3:11;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
Fear not any thing of those that thou art to suffer; for, behold, it will be that the accuser will cast some of you into prison, so that you may be tried; and you will have affliction ten days. Be faithful unto the death, and I will give thee the crown of life.
Murdock Translation
Be not terrified at any of the things thou art to suffer. For lo, the Accuser will throw some of you into custody, that ye may be tried; and there will be trouble to you ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.
New King James Version
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
New Life Bible
Do not be afraid of what you will suffer. Listen! The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will be in trouble for ten days. Be faithful even to death. Then I will give you the crown of life.
English Revised Version
Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to 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.
New Revised Standard
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Do not fear the things which thou art about to suffer. Lo! the adversary is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried, and may have tribulation ten days. Become thou faithful until death, and I will give thee the crown of life.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil will cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried: and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death: and I will give thee the crown of life.
King James Version
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 a crown of life.
Lexham English Bible
Do not be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and you will experience affliction ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Feare none of those thynges, which thou shalt suffer: Beholde, the deuyll shall caste some of you into prison, to tempt you, and ye shall haue tribulation ten dayes. Be faythfull vnto the death, and I wyll geue thee a crowne of lyfe.
Easy-to-Read Version
Don't be afraid of what will happen to you. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison. He will do this to test you. You will suffer for ten days, but be faithful, even if you have to die. If you continue to be faithful, I will give you the reward of life.
New American Standard Bible
'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Good News Translation
Don't be afraid of anything you are about to suffer. Listen! The Devil will put you to the test by having some of you thrown into prison, and your troubles will last ten days. Be faithful to me, even if it means death, and I will give you life as your prize of victory.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Drede thou no thing of these thingis, whiche thou schalt suffre. Lo! the deuel schal sende summe of you in to prisoun, that ye be temptid; and ye schulen haue tribulacioun ten daies. Be thou feithful to the deth, and Y schal yyue to thee a coroun of lijf.

Contextual Overview

8 "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive: 9 "I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. 10 Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. 11 "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Fear: Matthew 10:22

shalt: Daniel 3:16-18, Matthew 10:28, Luke 12:4-7

the devil: Revelation 12:9-11, Revelation 13:2, Revelation 13:7, Revelation 13:15-17, Luke 21:12, John 13:2, John 13:27, Ephesians 2:2, Ephesians 6:12, 1 Peter 5:8

ye shall: Revelation 2:9

ten days: Habakkuk 2:3, 1 Peter 1:6, 1 Peter 1:7

be thou: Revelation 12:11, Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13, Mark 8:35, Mark 13:13, Luke 21:16-19, John 12:25, Acts 20:24, Acts 21:13, 2 Timothy 4:7, 2 Timothy 4:8

a crown: Revelation 3:11, James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:15 - thou Numbers 24:14 - I will advertise Deuteronomy 3:2 - Fear Deuteronomy 20:3 - let not 1 Kings 22:27 - Put this fellow Job 2:6 - save Psalms 27:3 - war Psalms 69:33 - his prisoners Psalms 119:112 - the end Psalms 125:3 - the rod Proverbs 28:20 - faithful Isaiah 35:4 - fear not Jeremiah 20:2 - smote Jeremiah 29:26 - that thou Jeremiah 37:15 - put Lamentations 3:57 - thou saidst Lamentations 5:16 - The crown Ezekiel 16:11 - and a Ezekiel 18:24 - All his Ezekiel 48:11 - charge Daniel 3:18 - be it Daniel 6:10 - as he Daniel 11:35 - to try Matthew 4:3 - the tempter Matthew 5:10 - are Matthew 6:13 - lead Matthew 10:39 - General Matthew 24:9 - shall they Matthew 24:12 - the love Matthew 25:21 - I will Mark 4:17 - when Mark 8:34 - take Mark 13:9 - take Luke 1:74 - that we Luke 6:23 - your Luke 9:24 - General Luke 11:4 - lead Luke 12:8 - Whosoever Luke 17:33 - General Luke 18:30 - manifold more John 8:44 - He was John 14:27 - afraid Acts 5:18 - General Acts 14:22 - we Acts 16:23 - they cast Romans 2:7 - patient 1 Corinthians 4:17 - faithful 1 Corinthians 9:25 - but 1 Corinthians 10:13 - hath 2 Corinthians 6:5 - imprisonments Galatians 6:9 - if Ephesians 1:1 - which Ephesians 3:1 - the Philippians 1:28 - in Philippians 1:30 - the same Colossians 1:23 - ye continue 1 Thessalonians 2:18 - Satan 1 Thessalonians 3:3 - moved 2 Timothy 2:2 - faithful 2 Timothy 2:5 - is he Hebrews 2:14 - the devil Hebrews 11:36 - bonds James 1:2 - divers Revelation 1:9 - companion Revelation 2:13 - Satan's Revelation 4:4 - crowns Revelation 17:14 - and faithful

Cross-References

Psalms 46:4
A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.
Revelation 22:1
Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer,.... God's people undergo sufferings of various sorts, as the Christians of those times did, scourgings, imprisonment, confiscation of goods, and death itself in various shapes; and these are certain, they shall suffer them; they are all known beforehand to Christ, and he sometimes gives his people previous notice of them, nor should they indulge a slavish fear about them. It is reported of Polycarp, bishop of this church at Smyrna, in a letter written by the church itself n that three days before he suffered, he dreamed his pillow, on which he laid his head, was on fire; upon which, awaking, he said to those that were by him, that he should be burnt for Christ; and when he came to suffer, as he was led along, a voice was heard by the bystanders, Polycarp, be strong, and play the man.

Behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison; which has been the lot of many of the saints, and was of some, even of the faithful ministers of the word in this interval; in which Satan had an hand, instigating their enemies to prevent and stop the progress of the Gospel, and deter others both from preaching and professing it: the end was in the permission of it,

that ye may be tried; that their graces might be tried, their faith, love, zeal, courage, faithfulness, and constancy. Suffering times are trying times, whether men are real Christians or not; whether they have the true grace of God or not; and whether the principles they hold are right and true, and are worth, and will bear suffering for:

and ye shall have tribulation ten days: meaning it may be the ten persecutions under the Roman emperors; the "first" was under Nero, in the year 64 or 66; the "second" was under Domitian, about the year 93; the "third" was under Trojan, in the year 104; the "fourth" was under Hadrian, in the year 125; the "fifth" was under Marcus Antoninus, in the year 151; the "sixth" was under Septimius Severus, in the year 197; the "seventh" was under Maximinus, in the years 235, 236, 237; the "eighth" was under Decius, in the year 250; the "ninth" was under Valerianus, in the year 257; and the "tenth" was under Dioclesian, in the year 303. Austin o reckons the ten persecutions thus: the first by Nero, the second by Domitian, the third by Trojan, the fourth by Antoninus, the fifth by Severus, the sixth by Maximus, the seventh by Decius, the eighth by Valerianus, the ninth by Aurelianus, the tenth by Dioclesian and Maximianus. Others, inasmuch as Nero's persecution was before this vision, reckon the ten persecutions thus: Domitian, Trojan, M. Antoninus, Verus and Lucius, Severus, Maximinus, Decius, Valerianus, Aurelianus, Dioclesianus, Licinius: the Dioclesian persecution lasted ten years almost throughout: and some think that this last persecution, which held ten years, is here particularly meant, and not without some good reason; since it is usual in prophetic writings, and in this book of the Revelation, to put days for years; so that these ten days may be the ten years the last persecution held, and at which time the period of this church state ended, and that of Pergamos took place.

Be thou faithful unto death: which is an address to the ministers in this interval, to be faithful in preaching the pure and unmixed Gospel of Christ; in a constant administration of the ordinances, as they were delivered; in watching over the souls of men under their care, reproving, exhorting, c. with all longsuffering continuing in the discharge of duty, though in continual danger of death, and though it issued in it. And also to the churches and the members of them, to continue believing in Christ, professing his name, striving for his Gospel, attending on his ordinances, and following him whithersoever he went; though this should expose them to sufferings, even unto death, which it became them cheerfully to undergo: and to which they are encouraged by what follows,

and I will give thee a crown of life; which may refer not only to eternal life, which is so called, James 1:12; because of the glory of that state, and its everlasting continuance, and is in the possession and gift of Christ; but to the deliverance of the Christians from persecution, by Constantine; who coming to the imperial crown, that became not only a crown of glory to him, but of life to the church, and was as life from the dead unto the saints: to dead men is promised a crown of life, in allusion to the Gentiles, who crowned their dead p.

n Apud Euseb. Eccl. Hist. l. 4. c. 15. o De Civitate Dei, l. 18. c. 52. p Vid. Minut. Felix, p. 42.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer - He did not promise them exemption from suffering. He saw that they were about to suffer, and he specifies the manner in which their affliction would occur. But he entreats and commands them not to be afraid. They were to look to the “crown of life,” and to be comforted with the assurance that if they were faithful unto death, that would be, theirs. We need not dread suffering if we can hear the voice of the Redeemer encouraging us, and if he assures us that in a little while we shall have the crown of life.

Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison - Or, shall cause some of you to be cast into prison. He had just said that their persecutors were of the “synagogue of Satan.” He here represents Satan, or the devil - another name of the same being - as about to throw them into prison. This would be done undoubtedly by the hands of men, but still Satan was the prime mover, or the instigator in doing it. It was common to cast those who were persecuted into prison. See Acts 12:3-4; Acts 16:23. It is not said on what pretence, or by what authority, this would be done; but, as John had been banished to Patmos from Ephesus, it is probable that this persecution was raging in the adjacent places, and there is no improbability in supposing that many might be thrown into prison.

That ye may be tried - That the reality of your faith may be subjected to a test to show whether it is genuine. The design in the case is that of the Saviour, though Satan is allowed to do it. It was common in the early periods of the church to suffer religion to be subjected to trial amidst persecutions, in order to show that it was of heavenly origin, and to demonstrate its value in view of the world. This is, indeed, one of the designs of trial at all times, but this seemed eminently desirable when a new system of religion was about to be given to mankind. Compare the notes on 1 Peter 1:6-7.

And ye shall have tribulation ten days - A short time; a brief period; a few days. It is possible, indeed, that this might have been literally ten days, but it is much more in accordance with the general character of this book, in regard to numbers, to suppose that the word “ten” here is used to denote a few. Compare Genesis 24:55; 1 Samuel 25:38; Daniel 1:12, Daniel 1:14. We are wholly ignorant how long the trial actually lasted; but the assurance was that it would not be long, and they were to allow this thought to cheer and sustain them in their sorrows. Why should not the same thought encourage us now? Affliction in this life, however severe, can be but brief; and in the hope that it will soon end, why should we not bear it without complaining or repining?

Be thou faithful unto death - Implying, perhaps, that though, in regard to the church, the affliction would be brief, yet that it might be fatal to some of them, and they who were thus about to die should remain faithful to their Saviour until the hour of death. In relation to all, whether they were to suffer a violent death or not, the same injunction and the same promise was applicable. It is true of everyone who is a Christian, in whatever manner he is to die, that if he is faithful unto death, a crown of life awaits him. Compare the notes on 2 Timothy 4:8.

And I will give thee a crown of life - See the notes on James 1:12. Compare 1 Peter 5:4; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. The promise here is somewhat different from what was made to the faithful in Ephesus Revelation 2:7, but the same thing substantially is promised them - happiness hereafter, or an admission into heaven. In the former case it is the peaceful image of those admitted into the scenes of paradise; here it is the triumph of the crowned martyr.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Revelation 2:10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer — This may be addressed particularly to Polycarp, if he was at that time the bishop of this Church. He had much to suffer; and was at last burnt alive at Smyrna, about the year of our Lord 166. We have a very ancient account of his martyrdom, which has been translated by Cave, and is worthy of the reader's perusal. That account states that the Jews were particularly active in this martyrdom, and brought the fagots, c., by which he was consumed. Such persons must indeed have been of the synagogue of Satan.

Ten days — As the days in this book are what is commonly called prophetic days, each answering to a year, the ten years of tribulation may denote ten years of persecution and this was precisely the duration of the persecution under Diocletian, during which all the Asiatic Churches were grievously afflicted. Others understand the expression as implying frequency and abundance, as it does in other parts of Scripture. Genesis 31:7; Genesis 31:41: Thou hast changed my wages TEN TIMES; i.e. thou hast frequently changed my wages Numbers 14:22: Those men have tempted me now these TEN TIMES; i.e. they have frequently and grievously tempted and sinned against me. Nehemiah 4:12: The Jews that dwelt by them came and said unto us TEN TIMES, i.e. they were frequently coming and informing us, that our adversaries intended to attack us, Job 19:3; These TEN TIMES have ye reproached me; i.e. ye have loaded me with continual reproaches. Daniel 1:20: In all matters of wisdom, he found them TEN TIMES better than all the magicians; i.e. the king frequently consulted Daniel and his companions, and found them more abundantly informed and wise than all his counsellors.

Some think the shortness of the affliction is here intended, and that the ten days are to be understood as in Terence, Heaut., Act v., scen. 1, ver. 36, Decem dierum vis mi est familia. "I have enjoyed my family but a short time."

Be thou faithful unto death — Be firm, hold fast the faith, confess Christ to the last, and at all hazards, and thou shalt have a crown of life-thou shalt be crowned with life, have an eternal happy existence, though thou suffer a temporal death. It is said of Polycarp that when brought before the judge, and commanded to abjure and blaspheme Christ, he firmly answered, "Eighty and six years have I served him, and he never did me wrong, how then can I blaspheme my king who hath saved me?" He was then adjudged to the flames, and suffered cheerfully for Christ his Lord and Master.


 
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