1 Peter 4

1 Since Christ suffered physically, you must prepare yourselves with the same attitude he had—for those who suffer physically have turned away 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 You will not live the rest of your lives following human desires, but doing what God wants.

and so will live the rest of his earthly life guided, not by human passions, but by the will of God.

3 In the past you've spent enough time following the ways of the world: immorality, sexual indulgence, drunken orgies, partying, binge drinking, and revolting idol-worship.

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 People think it's strange that you don't join them anymore in this wild and excessive lifestyle, so they curse at you. But they will have to explain what they've done to the one who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

And, because you do not run to the same extremes of profligacy as others, they are astonished, and malign you.

5 That's why the good news was shared with those who've already died—

But they will have to answer for their conduct to him who is ready to judge both the living and the dead.

6 so that although they were rightly judged as far as being sinful human beings is concerned, they could live in the spirit as far as God is concerned.

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 Everything is coming to an end! So think clearly and stay alert when you pray.

But the end of all things is near. Therefore exercise self-restraint and be calm, so that you may be able to pray.

8 Most of all, you should love one another very deeply, for love covers many of the wrong things people do.

Above all things, let your love for one another be earnest, for “Love throws a veil over countless sins.”

9 Show hospitality to each another, and don't complain.

Never grudge hospitality to one another.

10 Whatever gift you've been given, share it with others among you, as people who wisely demonstrate God's grace in all its different forms.

Whatever the gift that each has received, use it in the service of others, as good stewards of the varied bounty of God.

11 Anyone who speaks should do so as though God is speaking through them. Anyone who wants to help others should do so through the strength that God gives, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. May glory and power be his forever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)

When anyone speaks, they should speak as one who is delivering the oracles of God. When anyone is endeavouring to serve others, they should do so in reliance on the strength which God supplies; so that in everything God may be honoured through Jesus Christ – to whom be ascribed all honour and might for ever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)

12 My friends, don't be alarmed at the “ordeals of fire” you're having, as if these were unexpected.

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 Be happy to the extent that you share in Christ's suffering, because when he appears in his glory, you will be incredibly happy!

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 cursed in Christ's name, you're blessed, for God's glorious spirit rests on you.

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 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer, or a thief, or a criminal, or as a gossip—

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 it's as a Christian, then you don't need to be ashamed. Instead praise God that you're called by that name!

But, if someone suffers as a Christian, they should not be ashamed of it; they should bring honour to God even though they bear that name.

17 For the time of judgment has come—and it begins with the house of God. 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 house of God; and, if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who reject God’s good news?

18 “If it's hard for those who live right to be saved, what will happen to sinners, those who oppose God?”

If “a good person is saved only with difficulty, what will become of the godless and the sinful?”

19 So then those who suffer according to the will of God, the trustworthy Creator, should make sure they are doing 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.