Patience in the Bible: Waiting on God's Timing

The LORD said, “My Spirit will not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; so his days will be one hundred and twenty years.”

At the end of forty days, Noah opened the window of the ship which he had made,

and he sent out a raven. It went back and forth, until the waters were dried up from the earth.

He himself sent out a dove to see if the waters were abated from the surface of the ground,

He waited yet another seven days; and again he sent the dove out of the ship.

He waited yet another seven days, and sent out the dove; and she didn’t return to him any more.

In the fourth generation they will come here again, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.”

Abraham lived as a foreigner in the land of the Philistines many days.

He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water.

The man looked steadfastly at her, remaining silent, to know whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.

Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young lady stay with us a few days, at least ten. After that she will go.”

Stay with him a few days, until your brother’s fury turns away—

Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her.

This was my situation: in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep fled from my eyes.

Please let my lord pass over before his servant, and I will lead on gently, according to the pace of the livestock that are before me and according to the pace of the children, until I come to my lord to Seir.”

Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah, his daughter; and his sons were with his livestock in the field. Jacob held his peace until they came.

for if we hadn’t delayed, surely we would have returned a second time by now.”

He washed his face, and came out. He controlled himself, and said, “Serve the meal.”

I have waited for your salvation, LORD.

When the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spoke to Pharaoh’s staff, saying, “If now I have found favour in your eyes, please speak in the ears of Pharaoh, saying,

But Moses’ hands were heavy; so they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side. His hands were steady until sunset.

I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate, and the animals of the field multiply against you.

Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and inherit the land.

He said to the elders, “Wait here for us, until we come again to you. Behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever is involved in a dispute can go to them.”

The LORD’s glory settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. The seventh day he called to Moses out of the middle of the cloud.

Moses entered into the middle of the cloud, and went up on the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

The LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, “The LORD! The LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth,

but if the cloud wasn’t taken up, then they didn’t travel until the day that it was taken up.

You shall not go out from the door of the Tent of Meeting for seven days, until the days of your consecration are fulfilled: for he shall consecrate you seven days.

If the bright spot is white in the skin of his body, and its appearance isn’t deeper than the skin, and its hair hasn’t turned white, then the priest shall isolate the infected person for seven days.

The priest shall examine him on the seventh day. Behold, if in his eyes the plague is arrested and the plague hasn’t spread in the skin, then the priest shall isolate him for seven more days.

But if the priest examines it, and behold, there are no white hairs in it, and it isn’t deeper than the skin, but is dim, then the priest shall isolate him seven days.

But if the priest examines it, and behold, there is no white hair in the bright spot, and it isn’t deeper than the skin, but has faded, then the priest shall isolate him seven days.

If the priest examines the plague of itching, and behold, its appearance isn’t deeper than the skin, and there is no black hair in it, then the priest shall isolate the person infected with itching seven days.

On the seventh day the priest shall examine the plague; and behold, if the itch hasn’t spread, and there is no yellow hair in it, and the appearance of the itch isn’t deeper than the skin,

then he shall be shaved, but he shall not shave the itch. Then the priest shall isolate the one who has the itch seven more days.

On the seventh day, the priest shall examine the itch; and behold, if the itch hasn’t spread in the skin, and its appearance isn’t deeper than the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean. He shall wash his clothes and be clean.

The priest shall examine the plague, and isolate the plague seven days.

He shall examine the plague on the seventh day. If the plague has spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in the skin, whatever use the skin is used for, the plague is a destructive mildew. It is unclean.

then the priest shall command that they wash the thing that the plague is in, and he shall isolate it seven more days.

Then the priest shall examine it, after the plague is washed; and behold, if the plague hasn’t changed its colour, and the plague hasn’t spread, it is unclean; you shall burn it in the fire. It is a mildewed spot, whether the bareness is inside or outside.

but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the LORD. You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard.

What grows of itself in your harvest you shall not reap, and you shall not gather the grapes of your undressed vine. It shall be a year of solemn rest for the land.

“‘You shall count off seven Sabbaths of years, seven times seven years; and there shall be to you the days of seven Sabbaths of years, even forty-nine years.

Moses answered them, “Wait, that I may hear what the LORD will command concerning you.”

When the cloud stayed on the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the LORD’s command, and didn’t travel.

Sometimes the cloud was a few days on the tabernacle; then according to the commandment of the LORD they remained encamped, and according to the commandment of the LORD they travelled.

Whether it was two days, or a month, or a year that the cloud stayed on the tabernacle, remaining on it, the children of Israel remained encamped, and didn’t travel; but when it was taken up, they travelled.

Miriam was shut up outside of the camp seven days, and the people didn’t travel until Miriam was brought in again.

‘The LORD is slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, forgiving iniquity and disobedience; and he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation.’

“How long shall I bear with this evil congregation that complain against me? I have heard the complaints of the children of Israel, which they complain against me.

Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border, so Israel turned away from him.

So you stayed in Kadesh many days, according to the days that you remained.

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked.

When they were done circumcising the whole nation, they stayed in their places in the camp until they were healed.

Joshua commanded the people, saying, “You shall not shout nor let your voice be heard, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout.”

The second day they marched around the city once, and returned into the camp. They did this six days.

On the seventh day, they rose early at the dawning of the day, and marched around the city in the same way seven times. On this day only they marched around the city seven times.

He commanded them, saying, “Behold, you shall lie in ambush against the city, behind the city. Don’t go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.

They will come out after us until we have drawn them away from the city; for they will say, ‘They flee before us, like the first time.’ So we will flee before them,

Joshua sent them out; and they went to set up the ambush, and stayed between Bethel and Ai on the west side of Ai; but Joshua stayed amongst the people that night.

So they set the people, even all the army who was on the north of the city, and their ambush on the west of the city; and Joshua went that night into the middle of the valley.

Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.

After he had gone, his servants came and saw that the doors of the upper room were locked. They said, “Surely he is covering his feet in the upper room.”

They waited until they were ashamed; and behold, he didn’t open the doors of the upper room. Therefore they took the key and opened them, and behold, their lord had fallen down dead on the floor.

Please don’t go away until I come to you, and bring out my present, and lay it before you.” He said, “I will wait until you come back.”

God did so that night; for it was dry on the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.

Now therefore, go up by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field.

Abimelech rose up, and all the people who were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.

then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Please let me pass through your land;’ but the king of Edom didn’t listen. In the same way, he sent to the king of Moab, but he refused; so Israel stayed in Kadesh.

Then they went through the wilderness, and went around the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and they encamped on the other side of the Arnon; but they didn’t come within the border of Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab.

The man rose up to depart; but his father-in-law urged him, and he stayed there again.

She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers amongst the sheaves.’ So she came, and has continued even from the morning until now, except that she rested a little in the house.”

Stay this night, and in the morning, if he will perform for you the part of a kinsman, good. Let him do the kinsman’s duty. But if he will not do the duty of a kinsman for you, then I will do the duty of a kinsman for you, as the LORD lives. Lie down until the morning.”

She lay at his feet until the morning, then she rose up before one could discern another. For he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.”

Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know what will happen; for the man will not rest until he has settled this today.”

Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems good to you. Wait until you have weaned him; only may the LORD establish his word.” So the woman waited and nursed her son until she weaned him.

He passed through the hill country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they didn’t find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they weren’t there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they didn’t find them.

“Go down ahead of me to Gilgal; and behold, I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings. Wait seven days, until I come to you and show you what you are to do.”

But certain worthless fellows said, “How could this man save us?” They despised him, and brought him no tribute. But he held his peace.

The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days, that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel; and then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you.”

He stayed seven days, according to the time set by Samuel; but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him.

If they say this to us, ‘Wait until we come to you!’ then we will stand still in our place and will not go up to them.

Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your children here?” He said, “There remains yet the youngest. Behold, he is keeping the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.”

Please go make yet more sure, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who has seen him there; for I have been told that he is very cunning.

See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hides himself; and come again to me with certainty, and I will go with you. It shall happen, if he is in the land, that I will search him out amongst all the thousands of Judah.”

So David checked his men with these words, and didn’t allow them to rise against Saul. Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

When David’s young men came, they spoke to Nabal all those words in the name of David, and waited.

David said, “As the LORD lives, the LORD will strike him; or his day shall come to die, or he shall go down into battle and perish.

The number of the days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.

When they told David this, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, “Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return.”

Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. Then he sent again a second time, but he would not come.

Behold, I will stay at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.”

The king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Because he curses, and because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’”

David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my son, who came out of my bowels, seeks my life. How much more this Benjamite, now? Leave him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD has invited him.

It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me good for the cursing of me today.”

So David and his men went by the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him, and threw dust.

The king said, “Come and stand here.” He came and stood still.

I am eighty years old, today. Can I discern between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear the voice of singing men and singing women any more? Why then should your servant be a burden to my lord the king?

He came near to her; and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Hear the words of your servant.” He answered, “I’m listening.”

At the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the two houses, the LORD’s house and the king’s house

He said to them, “Depart for three days, then come back to me.” So the people departed.

So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king asked, saying, “Come to me again the third day.”

He said to his servant, “Go up now and look towards the sea.” He went up and looked, then said, “There is nothing.” He said, “Go again” seven times.

When they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send them.” Therefore they sent fifty men; and they searched for three days, but didn’t find him.

But the people stayed quiet, and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Don’t answer him.”

Then some people went and told David how the men were treated. He sent to meet them; for the men were greatly humiliated. The king said, “Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return.”

He said to them, “Come again to me after three days.” So the people departed.

Then the same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of God’s house which is in Jerusalem. Since that time even until now it has been being built, and yet it is not completed.

So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days.

Then I went on to the spring gate and to the king’s pool, but there was no place for the animal that was under me to pass.

Then I went up in the night by the brook and inspected the wall; and I turned back, and entered by the valley gate, and so returned.

The rulers didn’t know where I went, or what I did. I had not as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest who did the work.

and refused to obey. They weren’t mindful of your wonders that you did amongst them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn’t forsake them.

Yet many years you put up with them, and testified against them by your Spirit through your prophets. Yet they would not listen. Therefore you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.

Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after her purification for twelve months (for so were the days of their purification accomplished, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet fragrances and with preparations for beautifying women).

In the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into the second women’s house, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch, who kept the concubines. She came in to the king no more, unless the king delighted in her, and she was called by name.

Esther said, “If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and my request is this.

If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as the king has said.”

Nevertheless Haman restrained himself, and went home. There, he sent and called for his friends and Zeresh his wife.

What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?

As a servant who earnestly desires the shadow, as a hireling who looks for his wages,

that you should visit him every morning, and test him every moment?

“How long will you speak these things? Shall the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?

Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be wise.

If a man dies, will he live again? I would wait all the days of my warfare, until my release should come.

“How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and afterwards we will speak.

“Listen diligently to my speech. Let this be your consolation.

Allow me, and I also will speak. After I have spoken, mock on.

As for me, is my complaint to man? Why shouldn’t I be impatient?

“Men listened to me, waited, and kept silence for my counsel.

Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he.

Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, “I am young, and you are very old. Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare show you my opinion.

I said, ‘Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’

“Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.

Shall I wait, because they don’t speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?

Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.

If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”

“If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.

How much less when you say you don’t see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him!

“Bear with me a little, and I will show you; for I still have something to say on God’s behalf.

Yes, no one who waits for you will be shamed. They will be shamed who deal treacherously without cause.

Guide me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation. I wait for you all day long.

Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.

Wait for the LORD. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the LORD.

Our soul has waited for the LORD. He is our help and our shield.

Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destruction, my precious life from the lions.

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret; it leads only to evildoing.

For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.

Wait for the LORD, and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

But I, as a deaf man, don’t hear. I am as a mute man who doesn’t open his mouth.

Yes, I am as a man who doesn’t hear, in whose mouth are no reproofs.

I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.

Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

I was mute. I didn’t open my mouth, because you did it.

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. I waited patiently for the LORD. He turned to me, and heard my cry.

You have done these things, and I kept silent. You thought that I was just like you. I will rebuke you, and accuse you in front of your eyes.

For it was not an enemy who insulted me, then I could have endured it. Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, then I would have hidden myself from him.

My soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my expectation is from him.

How long, God, shall the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme your name forever?

How long, LORD? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?

LORD God of Armies, how long will you be angry against the prayer of your people?

“How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked?” Selah.

But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth.

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.

He will not always accuse; neither will he stay angry forever.

until the time that his word happened, and the LORD’s word proved him true.

They soon forgot his works. They didn’t wait for his counsel,

My eyes fail for your word. I say, “When will you comfort me?”

How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgement on those who persecute me?

My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.

My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD, our God, until he has mercy on us.

I wait for the LORD. My soul waits. I hope in his word.

My soul longs for the Lord more than watchmen long for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

A Song of Ascents. By David. LORD, my heart isn’t arrogant, nor my eyes lofty; nor do I concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me.

The LORD is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.

if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures;

My son, don’t despise the LORD’s discipline, neither be weary of his correction;

Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.

A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.

A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.

He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated.

He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.

A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.

The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.

One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.

Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.

He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.

It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.

The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offence.

The sluggard will not plough by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won’t be blessed in the end.

Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for the LORD, and he will save you.

It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.

The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.

When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you;

Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.

Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”

for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.

Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbour shames you?

By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.

Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.

Let your foot be seldom in your neighbour’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.

It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honourable to seek one’s own honour.

Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.

Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

A stone is heavy, and sand is a burden; but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.

A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike:

restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand.

A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

“The leech has two daughters: ‘Give, give.’ “There are three things that are never satisfied; four that don’t say, ‘Enough!’:

Sheol, the barren womb, the earth that is not satisfied with water, and the fire that doesn’t say, ‘Enough!’

“If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, put your hand over your mouth.

Don’t be rash with your mouth, and don’t let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and you on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

Don’t be hasty to go out of his presence. Don’t persist in an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him,

If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offences to rest.

Furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires.

I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up nor awaken love, until it so desires.

I was asleep, but my heart was awake. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, and my hair with the dampness of the night.”

I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires.

No one shall be weary nor stumble amongst them; no one shall slumber nor sleep, neither shall the belt of their waist be untied, nor the strap of their sandals be broken,

He said, “Listen now, house of David. Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God also?

I will wait for the LORD, who hides his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.

For the LORD said to me, “I will be still, and I will see in my dwelling place, like clear heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.”

When he sees a troop, horsemen in pairs, a troop of donkeys, a troop of camels, he shall listen diligently with great attentiveness.”

He cried like a lion: “Lord, I stand continually on the watchtower in the daytime, and every night I stay at my post.

The watchman said, “The morning comes, and also the night. If you will enquire, enquire. Come back again.”

It shall be said in that day, “Behold, this is our God! We have waited for him, and he will save us! This is the LORD! We have waited for him. We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation!”

Yes, in the way of your judgements, LORD, we have waited for you. Your name and your renown are the desire of our soul.

Therefore the Lord GOD says, “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone of a sure foundation. He who believes shall not act hastily.

Does he who ploughs to sow plough continually? Does he keep turning the soil and breaking the clods?

Therefore the LORD will wait, that he may be gracious to you; and therefore he will be exalted, that he may have mercy on you, for the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him.

But they remained silent, and said nothing in reply, for the king’s commandment was, “Don’t answer him.”

I waited patiently until morning. He breaks all my bones like a lion. From day even to night you will make an end of me.

but those who wait for the LORD will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.

“Keep silent before me, islands, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come near, then let them speak. Let’s meet together for judgement.

He will not shout, nor raise his voice, nor cause it to be heard in the street.

“I have been silent a long time. I have been quiet and restrained myself. Now I will cry out like a travailing woman. I will both gasp and pant.

Because I knew that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew, and your brow bronze;

For my name’s sake, I will defer my anger, and for my praise, I hold it back for you so that I don’t cut you off.

He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he didn’t open his mouth. As a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he didn’t open his mouth.

You were wearied with the length of your ways; yet you didn’t say, ‘It is in vain.’ You found a reviving of your strength; therefore you weren’t faint.

“Whom have you dreaded and feared, so that you lie, and have not remembered me, nor laid it to your heart? Haven’t I held my peace for a long time, and you don’t fear me?

For I will not contend forever, neither will I always be angry; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls whom I have made.

For from of old men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides you, who works for him who waits for him.

I have spread out my hands all day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts;

Since the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt to this day, I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them.

Woe is me because of my injury! My wound is serious; but I said, “Truly this is my grief, and I must bear it.”

Are there any amongst the vanities of the nations that can cause rain? Or can the sky give showers? Aren’t you he, the LORD our God? Therefore we will wait for you; for you have made all these things.

LORD, you know. Remember me, visit me, and avenge me of my persecutors. You are patient, so don’t take me away. Know that for your sake I have suffered reproach.

When the vessel that he made of the clay was marred in the hand of the potter, he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

because he has sent to us in Babylon, saying, The captivity is long. Build houses, and dwell in them. Plant gardens, and eat their fruit?”’”

“The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab that he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, are performed; and to this day they drink none, for they obey their father’s commandment; but I have spoken to you, rising up early and speaking, and you have not listened to me.

After ten days, the LORD’s word came to Jeremiah.

The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.

It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

Let him sit alone and keep silence, because he has laid it on him.

Let him put his mouth in the dust, if it is so that there may be hope.

Let him give his cheek to him who strikes him. Let him be filled full of reproach.

Behold, I put ropes on you, and you shall not turn yourself from one side to the other, until you have accomplished the days of your siege.

So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days.

At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon.

Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand and three hundred and thirty-five days.

I will not execute the fierceness of my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I am God, and not man—the Holy One amongst you. I will not come in wrath.

Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God.

Therefore a prudent person keeps silent in such a time, for it is an evil time.

Then Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city, and there made himself a booth and sat under it in the shade, until he might see what would become of the city.

I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my case and executes judgement for me. He will bring me out to the light. I will see his righteousness.

The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. The LORD has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

I will stand at my watch and set myself on the ramparts, and will look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.

For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hurries towards the end, and won’t prove false. Though it takes time, wait for it, because it will surely come. It won’t delay.

I heard, and my body trembled. My lips quivered at the voice. Rottenness enters into my bones, and I tremble in my place because I must wait quietly for the day of trouble, for the coming up of the people who invade us.

“Therefore wait for me”, says the LORD, “until the day that I rise up to the prey, for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms to pour on them my indignation, even all my fierce anger, for all the earth will be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward.

But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.

If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.

Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.

“But he said, ‘No, lest perhaps while you gather up the darnel weeds, you root up the wheat with them.

Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the darnel weeds, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

Peter answered him, “Explain the parable to us.”

So Jesus said, “Do you also still not understand?

But she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”

Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me.”

Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?”

Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.

The servant therefore fell down and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!’

“So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you!’

You will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet.

But he who endures to the end will be saved.

Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

But Jesus stayed silent. The high priest answered him, “I adjure you by the living God that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.”

When he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

He gave him no answer, not even one word, so that the governor marvelled greatly.

and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, though he doesn’t know how.

For the earth bears fruit by itself: first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.

But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”

But she answered him, “Yes, Lord. Yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, “Why do you reason that it’s because you have no bread? Don’t you perceive yet or understand? Is your heart still hardened?

As they were coming down from the mountain, he commanded them that they should tell no one what things they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

He answered him, “Unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me.”

You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.

But he stayed quiet, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate marvelled.

for forty days, being tempted by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry.

To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don’t withhold your coat also.

Those in the good ground, these are those who with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produce fruit with perseverance.

Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.”

I tell you, although he will not rise and give it to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence, he will get up and give him as many as he needs.

“I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you.

“Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning.

Be like men watching for their lord when he returns from the wedding feast, that when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him.

Blessed are those servants whom the lord will find watching when he comes. Most certainly I tell you that he will dress himself, make them recline, and will come and serve them.

They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch and finds them so.

Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour that you don’t expect him.”

He said to the vine dresser, ‘Behold, these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down! Why does it waste the soil?’

He answered, ‘Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilise it.

If it bears fruit, fine; but if not, after that, you can cut it down.’”

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and count the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it?

Wouldn’t he rather tell him, ‘Prepare my supper, clothe yourself properly, and serve me while I eat and drink. Afterward you shall eat and drink’?

He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray and not give up,

He wouldn’t for a while; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man,

yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.’”

Won’t God avenge his chosen ones who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?

The lord of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. It may be that seeing him, they will respect him.’

“By your endurance you will win your lives.

He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers.

Behold, I send out the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.”

Jesus therefore said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.

You go up to the feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, because my time is not yet fulfilled.”

Having said these things to them, he stayed in Galilee.

But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly, but as it were in secret.

He answered them, “I told you already, and you didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? You don’t also want to become his disciples, do you?”

Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?”

When therefore he heard that he was sick, he stayed two days in the place where he was.

“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now.

Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, testify of the evil; but if well, why do you beat me?”

Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me.

He said to them, “You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do.

Now I tell you, withdraw from these men and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown.

He gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on. He promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his offspring after him, when he still had no child.

God spoke in this way: that his offspring would live as aliens in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years.

Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is silent, so he doesn’t open his mouth.

But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying,

But Peter continued knocking. When they had opened, they saw him and were amazed.

For a period of about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.

Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

who in the generations gone by allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.

They stayed there with the disciples for a long time.

He lived there a year and six months, teaching the word of God amongst them.

But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked crime, you Jews, it would be reasonable that I should bear with you;

but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves. For I don’t want to be a judge of these matters.”

When they asked him to stay with them a longer time, he declined;

Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.

“I will hear you fully when your accusers also arrive.” He commanded that he be kept in Herod’s palace.

But that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.

especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are amongst the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.

Putting to sea from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

When we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

When we had sailed slowly many days, and had come with difficulty opposite Cnidus, the wind not allowing us further, we sailed under the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone.

With difficulty sailing along it we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.

Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

to those who by perseverance in well-doing seek for glory, honour, and incorruptibility, eternal life;

Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance;

and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

But if we hope for that which we don’t see, we wait for it with patience.

What if God, willing to show his wrath and to make his power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,

But about Israel he says, “All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

rejoicing in hope, enduring in troubles, continuing steadfastly in prayer,

Now accept one who is weak in faith, but not for disputes over opinions.

Don’t let him who eats despise him who doesn’t eat. Don’t let him who doesn’t eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him.

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Now the God of perseverance and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,

so that you come behind in no gift, waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.

We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.

Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now.

Therefore it is already altogether a defect in you that you have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?

But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no urgency, but has power over his own will, and has determined in his own heart to keep his own virgin, does well.

If others partake of this right over you, don’t we yet more? Nevertheless we didn’t use this right, but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the Good News of Christ.

Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.

Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud,

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

But I will stay at Ephesus until Pentecost,

Now concerning Apollos the brother, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers, but it was not at all his desire to come now; but he will come when he has an opportunity.

But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.

but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God: in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,

in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,

in pureness, in knowledge, in perseverance, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,

not boasting beyond proper limits in other men’s labours, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be abundantly enlarged by you in our sphere of influence,

I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness, but indeed you do bear with me.

For you bear with the foolish gladly, being wise.

For you bear with a man if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, or if he strikes you on the face.

in labour and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness.

Truly the signs of an apostle were worked amongst you in all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty works.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,

gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.

Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted.

Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up.

with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Do all things without complaining and arguing,

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learnt in whatever state I am, to be content in it.

I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In any and all circumstances I have learnt the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.

strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy,

Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;

bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.

Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,

remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labour of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.

so then let’s not sleep, as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober.

We exhort you, brothers: Admonish the disorderly; encourage the faint-hearted; support the weak; be patient towards all.

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and into the perseverance of Christ.

But you, brothers, don’t be weary in doing what is right.

However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.

not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

The farmer who labours must be the first to get a share of the crops.

Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us.

The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient,

in gentleness correcting those who oppose him. Perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,

But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,

preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching.

For the overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward, not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain;

but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled,

that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance,

The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness.

We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end,

that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises.

Thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

from that time waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet.

For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return.

By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us,

For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls.

You have forgotten the exhortation which reasons with you as with children, “My son, don’t take lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by him;

It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline?

But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.

knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Blessed is a person who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord promised to those who love him.

So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;

for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.

For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.

Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rain.

You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Don’t grumble, brothers, against one another, so that you won’t be judged. Behold, the judge stands at the door.

Take, brothers, for an example of suffering and of perseverance, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Behold, we call them blessed who endured. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and have seen the Lord in the outcome, and how the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked.

For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience towards God.

For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God.

When he was cursed, he didn’t curse back. When he suffered, he didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously.

but from the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight.

not rendering evil for evil or insult for insult; but instead blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

who before were disobedient when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ship was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.

and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control, perseverance; and in perseverance, godliness;

But don’t forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you,

Watch yourselves, that we don’t lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward.

I John, your brother and partner with you in the oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

“I know your works, your love, faith, service, patient endurance, and that your last works are more than the first.

I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.

Nevertheless, hold that which you have firmly until I come.

Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.

They cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

A long white robe was given to each of them. They were told that they should rest yet for a while, until their fellow servants and their brothers, who would also be killed even as they were, should complete their course.

If anyone is to go into captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, he must be killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.

Here is the perseverance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”