< 1 Peter 4 >
1 Since, then, Christ has suffered in the flesh, you also must arm yourselves with a determination to do the same--because he who has suffered in the flesh has done with sin--
Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin;
2 that in future you may spend the rest of your earthly lives, governed not by human passions, but by the will of God.
that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for human desires, but for the will of God.
3 For you have given time enough in the past to the doing of the things which the Gentiles delight in-- pursuing, as you did, a course of habitual licence, debauchery, hard drinking, noisy revelry, drunkenness and unholy image-worship.
For enough time in the past has been spent doing the will of the unbelievers, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries.
4 At this they are astonished--that you do not run into the same excess of profligacy as they do; and they speak abusively of you.
They think it is strange that you do not run with them into the same flood of debauchery, blaspheming:
5 But they will have to give account to Him who stands ready to pronounce judgement on the living and the dead.
who will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6 For it is with this end in view that the Good News was proclaimed even to some who were dead, that they may be judged, as all mankind will be judged, in the body, but may be living a godly life in the spirit.
For this reason also the Good News was preached to those who are now dead, that they might be judged according to man in the flesh, but might live according to God in the Spirit.
7 But the end of all things is now close at hand: therefore be sober-minded and temperate, so that you may give yourselves to prayer.
But the end of all things is near. Therefore be serious and disciplined in your prayers.
8 Above all continue to love one another fervently, for love throws a veil over a multitude of faults.
Above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Extend ungrudging hospitality towards one another.
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
10 Whatever be the gifts which each has received, you must use them for one another's benefit, as good stewards of God's many-sided kindness.
As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.
11 If any one preaches, let it be as uttering God's truth; if any one renders a service to others, let it be in the strength which God supplies; so that in everything glory may be given to God in the name of Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the might to the Ages of the Ages. Amen. (aiōn )
If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (aiōn )
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at finding that that scorching flame of persecution is raging among you to put you to the test--as though some surprising thing were accidentally happening to you.
Beloved, do not be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you.
13 On the contrary, in the degree that you share in the sufferings of the Christ, rejoice, so that at the unveiling of His glory you may also rejoice with triumphant gladness.
But because you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.
14 You are to be envied, if you are being reproached for bearing the name of Christ; for in that case the Spirit of glory-- even the Spirit of God--is resting upon you.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.
15 But let not one of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evil-doer, or as a spy upon other people's business.
For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler.
16 If, however, any one suffers because he is a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God for being permitted to bear that name.
But if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name.
17 For the time has come for judgement to begin, and to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who reject God's Good News?
For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins first with us, what will happen to those who do not obey the Good News of God?
18 And if it is difficult even for a righteous man to be saved, what will become of irreligious men and sinners?
And "If the righteous is delivered with difficulty, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
19 Therefore also, let those who are suffering in accordance with the will of God entrust their souls in well-doing to a faithful Creator.
Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.