4
1 Therefore, since
Christ suffered
for us in the
flesh, arm
yourselves also
with the same
mind; for he
who has suffered
in the flesh
has ceased
from sin,
2 that
you no longer
should live the
rest of your
time in the
flesh for the
lusts of men,
but for the
will of God.
3 For
we have spent enough
of our past
time doing the
desire of the
Gentiles, and
having walked
in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges,
orgies, carousings, and abominable
idolatries.
4 They think
it is strange
that you don’t
run with them
into the
same excess of riot, speaking evil
of you.
5 They
will give account
to him who
is ready to
judge the living
and the dead.
6 For
to this end
the Good News
was preached even
to the dead,
that they might
be judged indeed
as men in
the flesh, but
live as to
God in the
spirit.
7 But
the end of
all things is
near. Therefore be
of sound mind,
self-controlled, and sober
in prayer.
8 And
above all things
be earnest in
your love among
yourselves, for love
covers a multitude
of sins.
9 Be
hospitable to
one another without grumbling.
10 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
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.
12 Beloved, don’t
be astonished at
the fiery trial
which has come
upon you to test
you, as though
a strange thing
happened to you.
13 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 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 none of
you suffer as
a murderer, or
a thief, or
an evil doer, or
a meddler in other
men’s matters.
16 But
if one of
you suffers for
being a Christian,
let him not
be ashamed; but
let him glorify
God in this matter.
17 For
the time has come
for judgment
to begin with the
household of God.
If it begins first
with us, what
will happen to
those who don’t
obey the Good News
of God?
18 “If
it is hard for
the righteous to
be saved, what
will happen to
the ungodly and
the sinner?”
19 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.