1 Peter 4

New American Standard Bible

Keep Fervent in Your Love

4 Therefore, since ^(A)Christ has ^[a]suffered in the flesh, ^(B)arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because ^(C)the one who has ^[b]suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ²^(D)so as to live ^(E)the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human lusts, but for the ^(F)will of God. ³For ^(G)the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, ^[c]^(H)having pursued a course of indecent behavior, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries. ⁴In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them in the same excesses of ^[d]^(I)debauchery, and they ^(J)slander you; ⁵but they will give an account to Him who is ready to judge ^(K)the living and the dead. ⁶For ^(L)the gospel has for this purpose been ^[e]preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as people, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

⁷^(M)The end of all things ^[f]is near; therefore, ^(N)be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of ^[g]prayer. ⁸Above all, ^(O)keep fervent in your love for one another, because ^(P)love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹^(Q)Be hospitable to one another without ^(R)complaint. ¹⁰^(S)As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good ^(T)stewards of the ^[h]multifaceted grace of God. ¹¹^(U)Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking ^(V)actual words of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving ^[i]^(W)by the strength which God supplies; so that ^(X)in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, ^(Y)to whom belongs the glory and ^[j]dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Share the Sufferings of Christ

¹²^(Z)Beloved, do not be surprised at the ^(AA)fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; ¹³but to the degree that you ^(AB)share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the ^(AC)revelation of His glory ^(AD)you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. ¹⁴If you are insulted ^[k]^(AE)for the name of Christ, ^(AF)you are blessed, ^(AG)because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you. ¹⁵Make sure that ^(AH)none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a ^[l]^(AI)troublesome meddler; ¹⁶but if anyone suffers as a ^(AJ)Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to ^(AK)glorify God in this name. ¹⁷For it is time for judgment ^(AL)to begin ^[m]with ^(AM)the household of God; and if it ^(AN)begins ^[n]with us first, what will be the outcome for those ^(AO)who do not obey the ^(AP)gospel of God? ¹⁸^(AQ)And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, ^[o]what will become of the ^(AR)godless man and the sinner? ¹⁹Therefore, those also who suffer according to ^(AS)the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

Footnotes

1 Peter 4:1 I.e., suffered death
1 Peter 4:1 I.e., suffered death
1 Peter 4:3 Lit having gone in
1 Peter 4:4 Or reckless abandon
1 Peter 4:6 I.e., preached in their lifetimes
1 Peter 4:7 Lit has come near
1 Peter 4:7 Lit prayers
1 Peter 4:10 Or manifold
1 Peter 4:11 Lit from
1 Peter 4:11 Or power
1 Peter 4:14 Lit in
1 Peter 4:15 Lit one who oversees others’ affairs
1 Peter 4:17 Lit from
1 Peter 4:17 Lit from
1 Peter 4:18 Lit where will appear

1 Peter 4

The Message

Learn to Think Like Him

4 ^1-2Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.

^3-5You’ve already put in your time in that God-ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken and profligate life. Now it’s time to be done with it for good. Of course, your old friends don’t understand why you don’t join in with the old gang anymore. But you don’t have to give an account to them. They’re the ones who will be called on the carpet—and before God himself.

⁶Listen to the Message. It was preached to those believers who are now dead, and yet even though they died (just as all people must), they will still get in on the life that God has given in Jesus.

^7-11Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

Glory Just Around the Corner

^12-13Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.

^14-16If you’re abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It’s the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they’re on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that’s a different matter. But if it’s because you’re a Christian, don’t give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!

^17-19It’s judgment time for God’s own family. We’re first in line. If it starts with us, think what it’s going to be like for those who refuse God’s Message!

If good people barely make it,
What’s in store for the bad?

So if you find life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll keep on doing it.

彼得前书 4

Chinese New Version (Traditional)

要有受苦的心志

4 基督既然在肉身受過苦，你們也應當以同樣的心志裝備自己（因為在肉身受過苦的，就已經與罪斷絕了）， ²好叫你們不再隨從人的私慾，只順從　神的旨意，在世上度餘下的光陰。 ³因為你們過去隨從教外人的心意，行邪淫、私慾、醉酒、荒宴、狂飲和可憎拜偶像的事，時候已經夠了。 ⁴他們見你們不再與他們同奔那縱情放蕩的路，就覺得奇怪，毀謗你們。 ⁵他們必要向那位預備要審判活人死人的主交帳。 ⁶因此，那些死人也曾有福音傳給他們，好使他們的肉體受了人要受的審判，他們的靈卻靠　神活著。

按照恩賜彼此服事

⁷萬物的結局近了，所以你們要謹慎警醒地禱告。 ⁸最重要的是要彼此切實相愛，因為愛能遮蓋許多的罪。 ⁹你們要互相接待，不發怨言。 ¹⁰你們要作　神各樣恩賜的好管家，各人照著所領受的恩賜彼此服事。 ¹¹講道的，應當按著　神的聖言講；服事的，應當按著　神所賜的力量服事，為要在一切事上，使　神藉耶穌基督得榮耀。榮耀、權能都是他的，直到永永遠遠。阿們。

為基督受苦的有福了

¹²親愛的，有火煉的試驗臨到你們，不要以為奇怪，好像是遭遇非常的事， ¹³倒要歡喜，因為你們既然在基督的受苦上有分，就在他榮耀顯現的時候，可以歡喜快樂。 ¹⁴你們要是為基督的名受辱罵，就有福了！因為　神榮耀的靈，住在你們身上。 ¹⁵你們中間不可有人因為殺人、或偷竊、或行惡、或好管閒事而受苦。 ¹⁶如果因為作基督徒而受苦，不要以為羞恥，倒要藉著這名字榮耀　神。 ¹⁷因為審判從　神的家開始，就在這時候了。如果先從我們起頭，那不信從　神福音的人，結局將要怎樣呢？

¹⁸“如果義人僅僅得救，

不敬虔和犯罪的人，又會變成怎樣呢（“不敬虔和犯罪的人，又會變成怎樣呢？”直譯作“不敬虔的人和犯罪的人將出現在何處呢？”）？”

¹⁹所以那順著　神的旨意而受苦的人，要繼續地行善，把自己的生命交託那信實的創造者。

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

New American Standard Bible is made available by The Lockman Foundation

The Message (MSG)

Chinese New Version (Traditional) (CNVT)

The Chinese New Version is made available by Worldwide Bible Society

1 Peter 4 New American Standard Bible