1 Peter 4:7-5:14

New American Standard Bible

^7 (A)The end of all things ^[a]is near; therefore, ^(B)be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of ^[b]prayer. ⁸ Above all, ^(C)keep fervent in your love for one another, because ^(D)love covers a multitude of sins. ^9 (E)Be hospitable to one another without ^(F)complaint. ^10 (G)As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good ^(H)stewards of the ^[c]multifaceted grace of God. ^11 (I)Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking ^(J)actual words of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving ^[d](K)by the strength which God supplies; so that ^(L)in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, ^(M)to whom belongs the glory and ^[e]dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Share the Sufferings of Christ

^12 (N)Beloved, do not be surprised at the ^(O)fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; ¹³ but to the degree that you ^(P)share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the ^(Q)revelation of His glory ^(R)you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted ^[f](S)for the name of Christ, ^(T)you are blessed, ^(U)because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you. ¹⁵ Make sure that ^(V)none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a ^[g](W)troublesome meddler; ¹⁶ but if anyone suffers as a ^(X)Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to ^(Y)glorify God in this name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment ^(Z)to begin ^[h]with ^(AA)the household of God; and if it ^(AB)begins ^[i]with us first, what will be the outcome for those ^(AC)who do not obey the ^(AD)gospel of God? ^18 (AE)And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, ^[j]what will become of the ^(AF)godless man and the sinner? ¹⁹ Therefore, those also who suffer according to ^(AG)the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

Serve God Willingly

5 ^(AH)Therefore, I urge elders among you, as your ^(AI)fellow elder and a ^(AJ)witness of the sufferings of Christ, and one who is also a ^[k](AK)fellow partaker of the glory that is to be revealed: ² shepherd ^(AL)the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, ^(AM)not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and ^(AN)not ^[l]with greed but with eagerness; ³ nor yet as ^(AO)domineering over ^[m]those assigned to your care, but by ^[n]proving to be ^[o](AP)examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief ^(AQ)Shepherd appears, you will receive the ^(AR)unfading ^[p](AS)crown of glory. ^5 (AT)You ^[q]younger men, likewise, ^(AU)be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with ^(AV)humility toward one another, because ^(AW)God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.

⁶ Therefore ^(AX)humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, ⁷ having cast all your ^(AY)anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. ^8 (AZ)Be of sober spirit, ^(BA)be on the alert. Your adversary, ^(BB)the devil, prowls around like a roaring ^(BC)lion, seeking someone to devour. ^9 [r](BD)So resist him, ^(BE)firm in your faith, knowing that ^(BF)the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your ^[s]brothers and sisters who are in the world. ¹⁰ After you have suffered ^(BG)for a little while, the ^(BH)God of all grace, who ^(BI)called you to His ^(BJ)eternal glory in Christ, will Himself ^(BK)perfect, ^(BL)confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ^11 (BM)To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

¹² Through ^(BN)Silvanus, our faithful brother ^[t](for so I regard him), ^(BO)I have written to you briefly, ^[u]exhorting and testifying that this is ^(BP)the true grace of God. ^(BQ)Stand firm in it! ¹³ She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, ^(BR)Mark. ^14 (BS)Greet one another with a kiss of love.

^(BT)Peace be to you all who are in Christ.