< 1 Peter 4 >

1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
Since, then, Christ suffered in body, arm yourselves with the same resolve as he; for he who has suffered in body has ceased to sin,
2 Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.
and so will live the rest of his earthly life guided, not by human passions, but by the will of God.
3 For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.
Surely in the past you have spent time enough living as the Gentiles delight to live. For your path has lain among scenes of debauchery, licentiousness, drunkenness, revelry, hard-drinking, and profane idolatry.
4 Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you.
And, because you do not run to the same extremes of profligacy as others, they are astonished, and malign you.
5 But they will have to give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
But they will have to answer for their conduct to him who is ready to judge both the living and the dead.
6 That is why the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged as men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
For that was why the Good News was told to the dead also — that, after they have been judged in the body, as men are judged, they might live in the spirit, as God lives.
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray.
But the end of all things is near. Therefore exercise self-restraint and be calm, that you may be able to pray.
8 Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Above all things, let your love for one another be earnest, for ‘Love throws a veil over countless sins.’
9 Show hospitality to one another without complaining.
Never grudge hospitality to one another.
10 As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.
Whatever the gift that each has received, use it in the service of others, as good stewards of the varied bounty of God.
11 If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)
When any one speaks, let him speak as one who is delivering the oracles of God. When any one is endeavouring to serve others, let him do so in reliance on the strength which God supplies; so that in everything God may be honour ed through Jesus Christ — to whom be ascribed all honour and might for ever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Dear friends, do not be astonished at the fiery trials that you are passing through, to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.
No, the more you share the sufferings of the Christ, the more may you rejoice, that, when the time comes for the manifestation of his Glory, you may rejoice and exult.
14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
If you are reviled for bearing the name of Christ, count yourselves blessed; because the divine Glory and the Spirit of God are resting upon you.
15 Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler.
I need hardly say that no one among you must suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a criminal, or for interfering in matters which do not concern Christians.
16 But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name.
But, if a man suffers as a Christian, do not let him be ashamed of it; let him bring honour to God even though he bears that name.
17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?
For the time has come for judgment to begin with the House of God; and, if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who reject God’s Good News?
18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
If ‘a good man is saved only with difficulty, what will become of the godless and the sinful?’
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Therefore, I say, let those who suffer, because God wills it so, commit their lives into the hands of a faithful Creator, and persevere in doing right.

< 1 Peter 4 >