Keep Fervent in Your Love

4 Therefore, since ^(A)Christ has ^[a]suffered in the flesh, ^(B)arm yourselves also with the same purpose—because ^(C)he who has ^[b]suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin— ^2 (D)so as to no longer live ^(E)the rest of the time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the ^(F)will of God. ³ For ^(G)the time already past is sufficient for you to have worked out the desire of the Gentiles, ^[c](H)having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and ^[d]abominable idolatries. ⁴ In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of ^(I)dissipation, ^(J)maligning you, ⁵ but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge ^(K)the living and the dead. ⁶ For to this ^(L)the gospel has been ^[e]proclaimed even to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh as men, they live in the spirit according to the will of God.

^7 (M)The end of all things is at hand; therefore, ^(N)be of sound thinking and sober spirit for the purpose of ^[f]prayer. ⁸ Above all, ^(O)keep fervent in your love for one another, because ^(P)love covers a multitude of sins. ^9 (Q)Be hospitable to one another without ^(R)grumbling. ^10 (S)As each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another as good ^(T)stewards of the manifold grace of God— ^11 (U)whoever speaks, ^[g]as one speaking the ^(V)oracles of God; whoever serves, as one serving ^[h](W)by the strength which God supplies; so that ^(X)in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, ^(Y)to whom belongs the glory and might forever and ever. Amen.

Sharing the Suffering of Christ

^12 (Z)Beloved, do not be surprised at the ^(AA)fiery trial among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you. ¹³ But to the degree you are ^(AB)sharing the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the ^(AC)revelation of His glory ^(AD)you may rejoice with exultation. ¹⁴ If you are insulted ^[i](AE)for the name of Christ, ^(AF)you are blessed, ^(AG)because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ Make sure that ^(AH)none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a ^[j](AI)troublesome meddler; ¹⁶ but if anyone suffers as a ^(AJ)Christian, he is not to be put to shame, but is to ^(AK)glorify God in this name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment ^(AL)to begin ^[k]with ^(AM)the house of God; and if it ^(AN)begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those ^(AO)who do not obey the ^(AP)gospel of God? ^18 (AQ)And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, ^[l]what will become of the ^(AR)godless man and the sinner? ¹⁹ Therefore, those also who suffer according to ^(AS)the will of God must entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing good.