Living Before the World

¹¹ Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts ^(A)which war against the soul, ^12 (B)having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, ^(C)they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Suffering for Right and Wrong

^13 (A)And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? ^14 (B)But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. ^(C)“And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” ¹⁵ But ^[a]sanctify ^[b]the Lord God in your hearts, and always ^(D)be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the ^(E)hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; ^16 (F)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.

Serving for God’s Glory

⁷ But ^(A)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 ^(B)“love will cover a multitude of sins.” ^9 (C)Be hospitable to one another ^(D)without grumbling. ^10 (E)As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, ^(F)as good stewards of ^(G)the manifold grace of God. ^11 (H)If anyone speaks, let him speak as the ^[a]oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that ^(I)in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the ^[b]dominion forever and ever. Amen.

⁸ Be ^[a]sober, be ^[b]vigilant; ^[c]because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ⁹ Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. ¹⁰ But ^[d]may the God of all grace, ^(A)who called ^[e]us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, ^[f]perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.