1 Peter

4** So, since Christ has suffered in flesh, arm yourselves too with that same thought, because he who has suffered in flesh has come to a stop in sins; 2 so as to live your remaining time in the flesh no longer by men’s desires but by the will of God. 3 For the bygone time is enough for having done the wish of the nations, going along in immoralities, lusts, hard drinkings, revels, carousals, and unholy idolatries, 4* in which business they find it surprising that you do not run with them into the same inundation of debauchery, and they vilify you; 5 but they shall account for it to him who is in readiness to judge living and dead. 6 For it was for this that even dead men had the gospel preached to them, that they might be judged men’s way in flesh, but live God’s way in spirit.

7 But the end of everything is almost here; so be sane, and keep sober for prayers, 8 above all having your love to each other ardent, because love covers a multitude of sins; 9 hospitable toward each other without grumbling; 10 as each has received a grant, giving each other the benefit of it as good stewards of God’s diversified grace: 11 if one speaks, speaking as communications of God; if one renders services, doing it as out of strength that God furnishes; that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and might forever and ever—amen.

12 Dear friends, do not be taken by surprise at the fiery ordeal among you coming upon you for a test, as if a surprising thing were happening to you, 13 but, insofar as you are solidary with the Christ’s sufferings, be glad, that at the manifestation of his glory too you may exultantly be glad. 14 If you are twitted with Christ’s name, happy are you, because the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God, is resting on you. 15 For let no one of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or a doer of any harm, or as an intruder into other people’s concerns; 16 but if it is as a Christian let him not be ashamed, but glorify God for that name— 17 because it is time for judgment to begin with the house of God; and if it begins first with you, what is to be the end of those who disobey God’s gospel? 18 and if the honest man barely gets through, where will the impious sinner appear? 19 Hence let those also who suffer according to God’s will commit their souls in right-doing to a faithful Creator.