Font Size
1 Peter 3:8-4:19
New International Version
1 Peter 3:8-4:19
New International Version
Suffering for Doing Good
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded,(A) be sympathetic, love one another,(B) be compassionate and humble.(C) 9 Do not repay evil with evil(D) or insult with insult.(E) On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,(F) because to this(G) you were called(H) so that you may inherit a blessing.(I) 10 For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”[a](J)
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?(K) 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.(L) “Do not fear their threats[b]; do not be frightened.”[c](M) 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer(N) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope(O) that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience,(P) so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.(Q) 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will,(R) to suffer for doing good(S) than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once(T) for sins,(U) the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.(V) He was put to death in the body(W) but made alive in the Spirit.(X) 19 After being made alive,[d] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits(Y)— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently(Z) in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.(AA) In it only a few people, eight in all,(AB) were saved(AC) through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you(AD) also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience(AE) toward God.[e] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,(AF) 22 who has gone into heaven(AG) and is at God’s right hand(AH)—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.(AI)
Living for God
4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body,(AJ) arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.(AK) 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires,(AL) but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past(AM) doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.(AN) 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.(AO) 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.(AP) 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead,(AQ) 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.
7 The end of all things is near.(AR) Therefore be alert and of sober mind(AS) so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply,(AT) because love covers over a multitude of sins.(AU) 9 Offer hospitality(AV) to one another without grumbling.(AW) 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,(AX) as faithful(AY) stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.(AZ) If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides,(BA) so that in all things God may be praised(BB) through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.(BC)
Suffering for Being a Christian
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you(BD) to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice(BE) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,(BF) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.(BG) 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,(BH) you are blessed,(BI) for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.(BJ) 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household;(BK) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?(BL) 18 And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[f](BM)
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will(BN) should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 3:12 Psalm 34:12-16
- 1 Peter 3:14 Or fear what they fear
- 1 Peter 3:14 Isaiah 8:12
- 1 Peter 3:19 Or but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which also
- 1 Peter 3:21 Or but an appeal to God for a clear conscience
- 1 Peter 4:18 Prov. 11:31 (see Septuagint)
1 Peter 3:8-4:19
King James Version
1 Peter 3:8-4:19
King James Version
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
4 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
1 Peter 3:8-4:19
New King James Version
1 Peter 3:8-4:19
New King James Version
Called to Blessing
8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be [a]courteous; 9 (A)not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary (B)blessing, knowing that you were called to this, (C)that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For
(D)“He who would love life
And see good days,
(E)Let him [b]refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.
11 Let him (F)turn away from evil and do good;
(G)Let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
(H)And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Suffering for Right and Wrong
13 (I)And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 (J)But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. (K)“And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But [c]sanctify [d]the Lord God in your hearts, and always (L)be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the (M)hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 (N)having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Christ’s Suffering and Ours
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring [e]us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly were disobedient, [f]when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 (O)There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (P)(not the removal of the filth of the flesh, (Q)but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and (R)is at the right hand of God, (S)angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.
Christ’s Example to Be Followed
4 Therefore, since Christ suffered [g]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 he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, (T)but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past [h]lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready (U)to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason (V)the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but (W)live according to God in the spirit.
Serving for God’s Glory
7 But (X)the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for (Y)“love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 (Z)Be hospitable to one another (AA)without grumbling. 10 (AB)As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, (AC)as good stewards of (AD)the manifold grace of God. 11 (AE)If anyone speaks, let him speak as the [i]oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that (AF)in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the [j]dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Suffering for God’s Glory
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice (AG)to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that (AH)when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are [k]reproached for the name of Christ, (AI)blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. [l]On their part He is blasphemed, (AJ)but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a [m]busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this [n]matter.
17 For the time has come (AK)for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, (AL)what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now
(AM)“If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God (AN)commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 3:8 NU humble
- 1 Peter 3:10 restrain
- 1 Peter 3:15 set apart
- 1 Peter 3:15 NU Christ as Lord
- 1 Peter 3:18 NU, M you
- 1 Peter 3:20 NU, M when the longsuffering of God waited patiently
- 1 Peter 4:1 NU omits for us
- 1 Peter 4:3 NU time
- 1 Peter 4:11 utterances
- 1 Peter 4:11 sovereignty
- 1 Peter 4:14 insulted or reviled
- 1 Peter 4:14 NU omits the rest of v. 14.
- 1 Peter 4:15 meddler
- 1 Peter 4:16 NU name
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.