1 Peter 4-5

New American Standard Bible 1995

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)he 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 the lusts of men, but for the ^(F)will of God. ³ For ^(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 sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and ^[d]abominable idolatries. ⁴ In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of ^(I)dissipation, and they ^(J)malign you; ⁵ but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge ^(K)the living and the dead. ⁶ For ^(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 men, 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. ⁸ Above 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 manifold grace of God. ^11 (U)Whoever speaks, is to do so ^[h]as one who is speaking the ^(V)utterances 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 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 some strange thing were happening to you; ¹³ but to the degree that you ^(AB)share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the ^(AC)revelation of His glory ^(AD)you may rejoice with exultation. ¹⁴ If you are reviled ^[j](AE)for the name of Christ, ^(AF)you are blessed, ^(AG)because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ Make sure that ^(AH)none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a ^[k](AI)troublesome meddler; ¹⁶ but if anyone suffers as a ^(AJ)Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to ^(AK)glorify God in this name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment ^(AL)to begin ^[l]with ^(AM)the household of God; and if it ^(AN)begins 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, ^[m]what will become of the ^(AR)godless man and the sinner? ¹⁹ Therefore, those also who suffer according to ^(AS)the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

Serve God Willingly

5 ^(AT)Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your ^(AU)fellow elder and ^(AV)witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a ^(AW)partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, ² shepherd ^(AX)the flock of God among you, exercising oversight ^(AY)not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and ^(AZ)not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; ³ nor yet as ^(BA)lording it over ^[n]those allotted to your charge, but ^[o]proving to be ^(BB)examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief ^(BC)Shepherd appears, you will receive the ^(BD)unfading ^[p](BE)crown of glory. ^5 (BF)You younger men, likewise, ^(BG)be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with ^(BH)humility toward one another, for ^(BI)God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

⁶ Therefore ^(BJ)humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, ⁷ casting all your ^(BK)anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. ^8 (BL)Be of sober spirit, ^(BM)be on the alert. Your adversary, ^(BN)the devil, prowls around like a roaring ^(BO)lion, seeking someone to devour. ^9 [q](BP)But resist him, ^(BQ)firm in your faith, knowing that ^(BR)the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your ^[r]brethren who are in the world. ¹⁰ After you have suffered ^(BS)for a little while, the ^(BT)God of all grace, who ^(BU)called you to His ^(BV)eternal glory in Christ, will Himself ^(BW)perfect, ^(BX)confirm, strengthen and establish you. ^11 (BY)To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

¹² Through ^(BZ)Silvanus, our faithful brother ^[s](for so I regard him), ^(CA)I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is ^(CB)the true grace of God. ^(CC)Stand firm in it! ¹³ She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, ^(CD)Mark. ^14 (CE)Greet one another with a kiss of love.

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