But His godly principles roused their anger. Often for refusing to join in some forbidden act, He was called a coward. Often He was sneered at, as being altogether too particular about little things. To all this His answer was: "It is written." "The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." Job 28:28. To love evil is to love death, for "the wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23. Jesus did not contend for His rights. When roughly used, He bore it patiently. Because He was so willing and uncomplaining, His work was often made needlessly hard. Yet He was not discouraged for He knew that God smiled upon Him.

Men hans gudfrygtige principper vakte deres harme. Når han ikke ville være med til noget, der var forbudt, kaldte de ham tit en kujon. Ofte hånede de ham for at være alt for nøjeregnende med småting. Hans svar på alt dette var: "Der står skrevet" "Se, Herrens frygt, det er visdom; at sky det onde er indsigt". Job 28,28. At elske det onde er at elske døden, "thi syndens løn er døden". Rom. 6,23. Jesus kæmpede ikke for sin ret. Blev han hårdt behandlet, bar han det tålmodigt. Hans arbejde blev ofte strengere end nødvendigt, fordi han var så villig og aldrig beklagede sig. Dog blev han ikke mismodig, for han vidste, at han havde Guds velbehag.