1 Peter 4:7-5:14

New King James Version

Serving for God’s Glory

⁷But ^(A)the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. ⁸And 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.

Suffering for God’s Glory

¹²Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³but rejoice ^(J)to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that ^(K)when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ¹⁴If you are ^[c]reproached for the name of Christ, ^(L)blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. ^[d]On their part He is blasphemed, ^(M)but on your part He is glorified. ¹⁵But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a ^[e]busybody in other people’s matters. ¹⁶Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this ^[f]matter.

¹⁷For the time has come ^(N)for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, ^(O)what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸Now

^(P)“If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

¹⁹Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God ^(Q)commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

Shepherd the Flock

5 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a ^(R)witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the ^(S)glory that will be revealed: ²^(T)Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, ^(U)not by compulsion but ^[g]willingly, ^(V)not for dishonest gain but eagerly; ³nor as ^(W)being ^[h]lords over ^(X)those entrusted to you, but ^(Y)being examples to the flock; ⁴and when ^(Z)the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive ^(AA)the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Submit to God, Resist the Devil

⁵Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, ^(AB)all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

^(AC)“God resists the proud,
But ^(AD)gives grace to the humble.”

⁶Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

⁸Be ^[i]sober, be ^[j]vigilant; ^[k]because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ⁹Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. ¹⁰But ^[l]may the God of all grace, ^(AE)who called ^[m]us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, ^[n]perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. ¹¹^(AF)To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Farewell and Peace

¹²By ^(AG)Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying ^(AH)that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.

¹³She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does ^(AI)Mark my son. ¹⁴Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.