< 1 Peter 4 >
1 Christ, then, having suffered for us in the flesh, do you also warm yourselves with the same mind: for he who has suffered in the flesh, has ceased from sin;
2 so that he no longer lives his remaining time in the flesh, to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
3 For the time which has passed of life, is sufficient to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, having walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excesses in wine, revelings, carousals, and abominable idolatries.
4 On which account they wonder that you do not run with them, into the same sink of debauchery, reviling you, --
5 who shall give account to him who is prepared to judge the living and the dead.
6 For, to this end of the gospel was preached to the dead, that they might, indeed, be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
7 Now the end of all things has approached; be, therefore, sober, and watch to prayer.
8 And above all things, have fervent love to one another; for love will cover a multitude of sins.
9 Be hospitable to one another, without murmurings.
10 Let every one, according as he has received a gift, minister it to the others, as good stewards of the manifold favor of God.
11 If any one speak, let him speak as the oracles of God: if any one minister, let him do it as from the strength which God supplies; that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (aiōn )
12 Beloved, wonder not at the fiery trial among you, which is come upon you for a trial, as if some strange thing happened to you;
13 but, seeing you partake of the sufferings of Christ, rejoice: that, also, at the revelation of his glory you may rejoice, with exceeding great joy.
14 If you be reproached for the name of Christ, you are happy; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
15 By them, indeed, he is evil spoken of, but by you he is glorified. Wherefore, let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a malefactor, or as a meddling person.
16 However, if any one suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him even glorify God on that account.
17 Indeed, the time is come that punishment must begin at the house of God; and if it begin first at us, what the end of them who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 And, if the righteous with difficulty escape, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear!
19 Wherefore, then, let those who suffer by the will of God, commit their own lives to him in well doing, as a faithful Creator.
