1 Peter 4
1 Forasmuch then as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from 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 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to 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 the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
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 Wherein they think it strange that all of you run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
And, because you do not run to the same extremes of profligacy as others, they are astonished, and malign you.
5 Who shall give account (logos) to him that is ready to judge the quick 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 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. (pneuma)
For that was why the good news was told to the dead also – that, after they have been judged in the body, as people are judged, they might live in the spirit, as God lives.
7 But the end of all things is at hand: be all of you therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
But the end of all things is near. Therefore exercise self-restraint and be calm, so that you may be able to pray.
8 And above all things have fervent love (agape) among yourselves: for love (agape) shall cover the multitude of sins.
Above all things, let your love for one another be earnest, for ‘Love throws a veil over countless sins.’
9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
Never grudge hospitality to one another.
10 As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
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 any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God gives: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)
When anyone speaks, they should speak as one who is delivering the oracles of God. When anyone is endeavoring to serve others, they should do so in reliance on the strength which God supplies; so that in everything God may be honored through Jesus Christ – to whom be ascribed all honor and might for ever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
Dear friends, do not be astonished at the trial of fire that you are passing through, to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as all of you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, all of you may be glad also with exceeding joy.
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 all of you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are all of you; for the spirit (pneuma) of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
If you are insulted for bearing the name of Christ, count yourselves blessed; because the divine glory and the Spirit of God are resting on you.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
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 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
But, if someone suffers as a Christian, they should not be ashamed of it; they should bring honor to God even though they bear that name.
17 For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not 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 the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
If ‘a good person is saved only with difficulty, what will become of the godless and the sinful?’
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
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.
