¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once^(A) for sins,^(B) the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.^(C) He was put to death in the body^(D) but made alive in the Spirit.^{(E) 19} After being made alive,^[a] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits^(F)— ²⁰ to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently^(G) in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.^(H) In it only a few people, eight in all,^(I) were saved^(J) through water, ²¹ and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you^(K) also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience^(L) toward God.^[b] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,^{(M) 22} who has gone into heaven^(N) and is at God’s right hand^(O)—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.^(P)

Living for God

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body,^(Q) arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.^{(R) 2} As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires,^(S) but rather for the will of God. ³ For you have spent enough time in the past^(T) doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.^{(U) 4} They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.^{(V) 5} But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.^{(W) 6} For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead,^(X) so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.