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1 Peter 4:12-5:11
EasyEnglish Bible
1 Peter 4:12-5:11
EasyEnglish Bible
Christians must be ready to have trouble and pain
12 My friends, I know that people are causing you to have bad trouble. It is like a fire that is burning you. Do not be surprised about that. These things are happening to you, to show whether you really trust God. Do not think that something strange is happening to you. 13 Instead, be happy when you have trouble. Remember that Christ also received much trouble and pain. If you have trouble like he did, then you will be happy when he returns. At that time, everyone will see how great Christ really is. Then you will be very happy with a great joy. 14 People may insult you because you belong to Christ. But God will bless you when that happens. It shows that the Holy Spirit is with you. He is God's great Spirit.
15 Do not murder anyone. Do not rob anyone. Do not do evil things. Do not try to cause trouble for other people. If you do those things, you deserve to have trouble. 16 But if you receive trouble because you are a Christian, do not be ashamed about that. Instead, you should praise God that you belong to Christ.
17 The time has come when God will start to judge people. He will first judge the people who belong to him. If he will start with his own people, what will happen to other people? They have refused to obey God's good news, so it will surely be very bad for them. 18 The Bible says:
‘When God saves righteous people, that is a difficult thing.
It will surely be much worse for people who turn away from God and who do bad things.’[a]
19 So remember this. If you receive trouble because that is what God wants, you should continue to trust him. God made you and he always does what he has promised. So you should continue to do what is good.
Peter writes to leaders and young men
5 Now I want to say something to you who are leaders of the groups of believers. Like you, I am also a leader. I myself saw how people caused Christ to have great pain so that he died. One day people will see how great he really is. Then I will be among those people who join with him in heaven. So I say this to you who are leaders: 2 Watch over the group of believers that God has given to you. Be like a shepherd that takes care of his sheep. Lead them well because you want to do it. Do not do it just because you have to do it. Do it in the way that God wants for you. Do not be a leader because you want to receive money for yourself. Instead, do it because you want to help people.
3 God has given you a group of believers to take care of them. Do not try to rule over them with power. Instead, show them how to live in a good way, so that they can copy you. 4 Then our master, Christ, will give you a beautiful crown when he appears. That is a great gift that will never become old or less beautiful. He is the great Shepherd who takes care of us.[b]
5 I want to say the same thing to you who are young men. You must respect the authority of the leaders. All of you who are believers must respect one another. Do not think that you are more important than other people. The Bible says:
‘God is against proud people.
But he is kind to humble people.’[c]
6 Remember that God is strong and powerful. So be humble in front of him. Then he will lift you up to a good place at the right time. 7 If you have any kind of trouble in your mind, give it to God. God has promised to take care of you.[d]
8 Think seriously about how you live. Watch carefully for danger. Remember that the Devil is your enemy. He wants to hurt you. He walks about like a hungry lion. He is looking for someone to kill and then eat them! 9 But you must be strong to fight against him. Trust God completely. Remember this: Believers all over the world are having the same kind of trouble. 10 Yes, you will have trouble like this for a short time. But after that, God will make everything right. He is completely kind and he will always help you. Because you belong to Christ, God has chosen you to live with him in heaven for ever. You will join him in that beautiful place. Then God will make you well again. He will make you strong in your spirits. You will be able to stand strongly. 11 Yes, God rules with power for ever! Amen! This is true!
Footnotes
- 4:18 See Proverbs 11:31.
- 5:4 A crown is a special hat someone receives when they win a race. It shows that the winner has done well. This crown is a picture of what God will give to each believer. He will cause us to live with him always.
- 5:5 See Proverbs 3:34.
- 5:7 See Psalms 55:22.
1 Peter 4:12-5:11
New International Version
1 Peter 4:12-5:11
New International Version
Suffering for Being a Christian
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you(A) to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice(B) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,(C) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.(D) 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,(E) you are blessed,(F) 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.(G) 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household;(H) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?(I) 18 And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a](J)
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will(K) should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
To the Elders and the Flock
5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder(L) and a witness(M) of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:(N) 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock(O) that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;(P) not pursuing dishonest gain,(Q) but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over(R) those entrusted to you, but being examples(S) to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd(T) appears, you will receive the crown of glory(U) that will never fade away.(V)
5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves(W) to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility(X) toward one another, because,
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.(Z) 7 Cast all your anxiety on him(AA) because he cares for you.(AB)
8 Be alert and of sober mind.(AC) Your enemy the devil prowls around(AD) like a roaring lion(AE) looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him,(AF) standing firm in the faith,(AG) because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.(AH)
10 And the God of all grace, who called you(AI) to his eternal glory(AJ) in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,(AK) will himself restore you and make you strong,(AL) firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.(AM)
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 4:18 Prov. 11:31 (see Septuagint)
- 1 Peter 5:5 Prov. 3:34
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