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1 Peter 3:13-4:6
Revised Standard Version
1 Peter 3:13-4:6
Revised Standard Version
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is right? 14 But even if you do suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than for doing wrong. 18 For Christ also died[a] for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.
Good Stewards of God’s Grace
4 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,[b] arm yourselves with the same thought, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer by human passions but by the will of God. 3 Let the time that is past suffice for doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not now join them in the same wild profligacy, and they abuse you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead, that though judged in the flesh like men, they might live in the spirit like God.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 3:18 Other ancient authorities read suffered
- 1 Peter 4:1 Other ancient authorities add for us; some for you
1 Peter 3:13-4:6
New International Version
1 Peter 3:13-4:6
New International Version
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?(A) 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.(B) “Do not fear their threats[a]; do not be frightened.”[b](C) 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer(D) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope(E) that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience,(F) so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.(G) 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will,(H) to suffer for doing good(I) than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once(J) for sins,(K) the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.(L) He was put to death in the body(M) but made alive in the Spirit.(N) 19 After being made alive,[c] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits(O)— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently(P) in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.(Q) In it only a few people, eight in all,(R) were saved(S) through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you(T) also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience(U) toward God.[d] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,(V) 22 who has gone into heaven(W) and is at God’s right hand(X)—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.(Y)
Living for God
4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body,(Z) arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.(AA) 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires,(AB) but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past(AC) doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.(AD) 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.(AE) 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.(AF) 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead,(AG) 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.
Footnotes
- 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
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.