1 Peter 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,

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 you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for 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 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.

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 They think it is strange that you don’t run with them into 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 They will give account to him who is ready to judge the living 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 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.

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 near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in 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 be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.

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

9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

Never grudge hospitality to one another.

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.

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 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 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 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.

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 because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice 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 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.

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 a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler 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 But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.

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 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?

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 is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?”

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

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.

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.