1 Peter 4:12-5:14

New King James Version

Suffering for God’s Glory

¹²Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³but rejoice ^(A)to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that ^(B)when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ¹⁴If you are ^[a]reproached for the name of Christ, ^(C)blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. ^[b]On their part He is blasphemed, ^(D)but on your part He is glorified. ¹⁵But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a ^[c]busybody in other people’s matters. ¹⁶Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this ^[d]matter.

¹⁷For the time has come ^(E)for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, ^(F)what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸Now

^(G)“If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

¹⁹Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God ^(H)commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

Shepherd the Flock

5 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a ^(I)witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the ^(J)glory that will be revealed: ²^(K)Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, ^(L)not by compulsion but ^[e]willingly, ^(M)not for dishonest gain but eagerly; ³nor as ^(N)being ^[f]lords over ^(O)those entrusted to you, but ^(P)being examples to the flock; ⁴and when ^(Q)the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive ^(R)the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Submit to God, Resist the Devil

⁵Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, ^(S)all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

^(T)“God resists the proud,
But ^(U)gives grace to the humble.”

⁶Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

⁸Be ^[g]sober, be ^[h]vigilant; ^[i]because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ⁹Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. ¹⁰But ^[j]may the God of all grace, ^(V)who called ^[k]us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, ^[l]perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. ¹¹^(W)To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Farewell and Peace

¹²By ^(X)Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying ^(Y)that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.

¹³She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does ^(Z)Mark my son. ¹⁴Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Footnotes

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
1 Peter 5:2 NU adds according to God
1 Peter 5:3 masters
1 Peter 5:8 self-controlled
1 Peter 5:8 watchful
1 Peter 5:8 NU, M omit because
1 Peter 5:10 NU the God of all grace,
1 Peter 5:10 NU, M you
1 Peter 5:10 NU will perfect

Psalm 141

New King James Version

Prayer for Safekeeping from Wickedness

A Psalm of David.

141 Lord, I cry out to You;
Make haste to me!
Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You.
²Let my prayer be set before You ^(A)as incense,
^(B)The lifting up of my hands as ^(C)the evening sacrifice.

³Set a guard, O Lord, over my ^(D)mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.
⁴Do not incline my heart to any evil thing,
To practice wicked works
With men who work iniquity;
^(E)And do not let me eat of their delicacies.

⁵^(F)Let the righteous strike me;
It shall be a kindness.
And let him rebuke me;
It shall be as excellent oil;
Let my head not refuse it.

For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.
⁶Their judges are overthrown by the sides of the ^[a]cliff,
And they hear my words, for they are sweet.
⁷Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave,
As when one plows and breaks up the earth.

⁸But ^(G)my eyes are upon You, O God the Lord;
In You I take refuge;
^[b]Do not leave my soul destitute.
⁹Keep me from ^(H)the snares they have laid for me,
And from the traps of the workers of iniquity.
¹⁰^(I)Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
While I escape safely.