Greeting

1 Paul, ^(A)an apostle of Christ Jesus ^(B)by command of ^(C)God our Savior and of Christ Jesus ^(D)our hope,

² To Timothy, ^(E)my true child in the faith:

^(F)Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Warning Against False Teachers

^3 (G)As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not ^(H)to teach any different doctrine, ⁴ nor ^(I)to devote themselves to myths and endless ^(J)genealogies, which promote ^(K)speculations rather than the stewardship^[a] from God that is by faith. ⁵ The aim of our charge is love ^(L)that issues from a pure heart and ^(M)a good conscience and ^(N)a sincere faith. ⁶ Certain persons, by ^(O)swerving from these, have wandered away into ^(P)vain discussion, ⁷ desiring to be teachers of the law, ^(Q)without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

⁸ Now we know that ^(R)the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, ⁹ understanding this, that the ^(S)law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers,^[b] liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to ^(T)sound^[c] doctrine, ¹¹ in accordance with ^(U)the gospel of the glory of ^(V)the blessed God ^(W)with which I have been entrusted.

Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners

¹² I thank him ^(X)who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, ^(Y)appointing me to his service, ¹³ though formerly I was a blasphemer, ^(Z)persecutor, and insolent opponent. But ^(AA)I received mercy ^(AB)because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, ¹⁴ and ^(AC)the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the ^(AD)faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ The saying is ^(AE)trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus ^(AF)came into the world to save sinners, ^(AG)of whom I am the foremost. ¹⁶ But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. ¹⁷ To ^(AH)the King of the ages, ^(AI)immortal, ^(AJ)invisible, ^(AK)the only God, ^(AL)be honor and glory forever and ever.^[d] Amen.

¹⁸ This charge ^(AM)I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with ^(AN)the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may ^(AO)wage the good warfare, ^19 (AP)holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have ^(AQ)made shipwreck of their faith, ²⁰ among whom are ^(AR)Hymenaeus and ^(AS)Alexander, whom I ^(AT)have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to ^(AU)blaspheme.

Pray for All People

2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, ^2 (AV)for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and ^(AW)dignified in every way. ³ This is good, and ^(AX)it is pleasing in the sight of ^(AY)God our Savior, ⁴ who desires ^(AZ)all people to be saved and ^(BA)to come to ^(BB)the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For ^(BC)there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man^[e] Christ Jesus, ^6 (BD)who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is ^(BE)the testimony given ^(BF)at the proper time. ^7 (BG)For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (^(BH)I am telling the truth, I am not lying), ^(BI)a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

⁸ I desire then that ^(BJ)in every place the men should pray, ^(BK)lifting ^(BL)holy hands without anger or quarreling; ⁹ likewise also ^(BM)that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, ^10 (BN)but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. ¹¹ Let a woman learn quietly ^(BO)with all submissiveness. ^12 (BP)I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. ^13 (BQ)For Adam was formed first, ^(BR)then Eve; ¹⁴ and Adam was not deceived, but ^(BS)the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. ¹⁵ Yet she will be saved through ^(BT)childbearing—if they continue in ^(BU)faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

Qualifications for Overseers

3 The saying is ^(BV)trustworthy: If anyone aspires to ^(BW)the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. ² Therefore ^(BX)an overseer^[f] must be above reproach, ^(BY)the husband of one wife,^{[g] (BZ)}sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, ^(CA)hospitable, ^(CB)able to teach, ³ not a drunkard, not violent but ^(CC)gentle, not quarrelsome, ^(CD)not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own household well, with all dignity ^(CE)keeping his children submissive, ⁵ for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for ^(CF)God's church? ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may ^(CG)become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷ Moreover, he must be well thought of by ^(CH)outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into ^(CI)a snare of the devil.

Qualifications for Deacons

^8 (CJ)Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,^{[h] (CK)}not addicted to much wine, ^(CL)not greedy for dishonest gain. ⁹ They must ^(CM)hold the mystery of the faith with ^(CN)a clear conscience. ¹⁰ And ^(CO)let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. ^11 (CP)Their wives likewise^[i] must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, ^(CQ)faithful in all things. ¹² Let deacons each be ^(CR)the husband of one wife, ^(CS)managing their children and their own households well. ¹³ For ^(CT)those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The Mystery of Godliness

¹⁴ I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, ¹⁵ if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. ¹⁶ Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

Some Will Depart from the Faith

4 Now ^(CZ)the Spirit expressly says that ^(DA)in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to ^(DB)deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, ² through the insincerity of ^(DC)liars whose consciences are seared, ^3 (DD)who forbid marriage and ^(DE)require abstinence from foods ^(DF)that God created ^(DG)to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For ^(DH)everything created by God is good, and ^(DI)nothing is to be rejected if it is ^(DJ)received with thanksgiving, ⁵ for it is made holy ^(DK)by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

^6 (DL)If you put these things before the brothers,^[m] you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have ^(DM)followed. ⁷ Have nothing to do with irreverent, ^(DN)silly myths. Rather ^(DO)train yourself for godliness; ⁸ for while ^(DP)bodily training is of some value, godliness ^(DQ)is of value in every way, as ^(DR)it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ⁹ The saying is ^(DS)trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. ¹⁰ For to this end we toil and strive,^[n] because we have our hope set on the living God, ^(DT)who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Command and teach ^(DU)these things. ^12 (DV)Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers ^(DW)an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. ^14 (DX)Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you ^(DY)by prophecy when the council of elders ^(DZ)laid their hands on you. ¹⁵ Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,^[o] so that ^(EA)all may see your progress. ^16 (EB)Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save ^(EC)both yourself and ^(ED)your hearers.

Instructions for the Church

5 ^(EE)Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, ^(EF)younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

³ Honor widows ^(EG)who are truly widows. ⁴ But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn ^(EH)to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for ^(EI)this is pleasing in the sight of God. ⁵ She ^(EJ)who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and ^(EK)continues in supplications and prayers night and day, ⁶ but ^(EL)she who is self-indulgent is ^(EM)dead even while she lives. ^7 (EN)Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for ^(EO)members of his household, he has ^(EP)denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been ^(EQ)the wife of one husband,^{[p] 10} and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has ^(ER)shown hospitality, ^(ES)has washed the feet of the saints, has ^(ET)cared for the afflicted, and has ^(EU)devoted herself to every good work. ¹¹ But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when ^(EV)their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry ¹² and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. ¹³ Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also ^(EW)gossips and ^(EX)busybodies, saying what they should not. ¹⁴ So I would have ^(EY)younger widows marry, bear children, ^(EZ)manage their households, and ^(FA)give the adversary no occasion for slander. ^15 (FB)For some have already strayed after Satan. ¹⁶ If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those ^(FC)who are truly widows.

¹⁷ Let the elders ^(FD)who rule well be considered worthy of ^(FE)double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, ^(FF)“You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, ^(FG)“The laborer deserves his wages.” ¹⁹ Do not admit a charge against an elder except ^(FH)on the evidence of two or three witnesses. ²⁰ As for those who persist in sin, ^(FI)rebuke them in the presence of all, ^(FJ)so that the rest may stand in fear. ²¹ In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels ^(FK)I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, ^(FL)doing nothing from partiality. ^22 (FM)Do not be hasty in the ^(FN)laying on of hands, nor ^(FO)take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. ²³ (No longer drink only water, but ^(FP)use a little wine ^(FQ)for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) ²⁴ The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. ²⁵ So also good works are conspicuous, and ^(FR)even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

6 ^(FS)Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants^[q] regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, ^(FT)so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. ² Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are ^(FU)brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.

False Teachers and True Contentment

^(FV)Teach and urge these things. ³ If anyone ^(FW)teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with ^(FX)the sound^[r] words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching ^(FY)that accords with godliness, ^4 (FZ)he is puffed up with conceit and ^(GA)understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for ^(GB)controversy and for ^(GC)quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, ⁵ and constant friction among people ^(GD)who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, ^(GE)imagining that godliness is a means of gain. ⁶ But ^(GF)godliness ^(GG)with contentment is great gain, ⁷ for ^(GH)we brought nothing into the world, and^[s] we cannot take anything out of the world. ⁸ But ^(GI)if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. ⁹ But ^(GJ)those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, ^(GK)into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that ^(GL)plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of ^(GM)all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Fight the Good Fight of Faith

¹¹ But as for you, ^(GN)O man of God, ^(GO)flee these things. ^(GP)Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. ^12 (GQ)Fight the good fight of the faith. ^(GR)Take hold of the eternal life ^(GS)to which you were called and about which you made ^(GT)the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ^13 (GU)I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, ^(GV)who in his testimony before^[t] Pontius Pilate made ^(GW)the good confession, ¹⁴ to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until ^(GX)the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which he will display ^(GY)at the proper time—he who is ^(GZ)the blessed and only Sovereign, ^(HA)the King of kings and Lord of lords, ^16 (HB)who alone has immortality, ^(HC)who dwells in ^(HD)unapproachable light, ^(HE)whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

¹⁷ As for the rich in ^(HF)this present age, charge them ^(HG)not to be haughty, nor ^(HH)to set their hopes on ^(HI)the uncertainty of riches, but on God, ^(HJ)who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. ¹⁸ They are to do good, ^(HK)to be rich in good works, to be generous and ^(HL)ready to share, ¹⁹ thus ^(HM)storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may ^(HN)take hold of ^(HO)that which is truly life.

²⁰ O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. ^(HP)Avoid the ^(HQ)irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” ²¹ for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.

^(HR)Grace be with you.^[u]

Greeting

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who are elect exiles of ^(A)the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, ² according to ^(B)the foreknowledge of God the Father, ^(C)in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and ^(D)for sprinkling with his blood:

May ^(E)grace and ^(F)peace be multiplied to you.

Born Again to a Living Hope

^3 (G)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! ^(H)According to his great mercy, ^(I)he has caused us to be born again to a living hope ^(J)through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to ^(K)an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and ^(L)unfading, ^(M)kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who by God's power are being guarded ^(N)through faith for a salvation ^(O)ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by ^(P)various trials, ⁷ so that ^(Q)the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes ^(R)though it is tested by ^(S)fire—may be found to result in ^(T)praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ^8 (U)Though you have not seen him, you love him. ^(V)Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, ⁹ obtaining ^(W)the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, ^(X)the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, ¹¹ inquiring ^(Y)what person or time^{[a] (Z)}the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating ^(AA)when he predicted ^(AB)the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. ^12 (AC)It was revealed to them that ^(AD)they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you ^(AE)by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, ^(AF)things into which angels long to look.

Called to Be Holy

¹³ Therefore, ^(AG)preparing your minds for action,^[b] and ^(AH)being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As obedient children, ^(AI)do not be conformed to the passions ^(AJ)of your former ignorance, ¹⁵ but ^(AK)as he who called you is holy, you also be holy ^(AL)in all your conduct, ¹⁶ since it is written, ^(AM)“You shall be holy, for I am holy.” ¹⁷ And if you ^(AN)call on him as Father who ^(AO)judges ^(AP)impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves ^(AQ)with fear throughout the time of your exile, ¹⁸ knowing that you ^(AR)were ransomed from ^(AS)the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, ¹⁹ but ^(AT)with the precious blood of Christ, like that of ^(AU)a lamb ^(AV)without blemish or spot. ²⁰ He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but ^(AW)was made manifest ^(AX)in the last times for the sake of you ^21 (AY)who through him are believers in God, ^(AZ)who raised him from the dead and ^(BA)gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

²² Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for ^(BB)a sincere brotherly love, ^(BC)love one another earnestly from a pure heart, ^23 (BD)since you have been born again, ^(BE)not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through ^(BF)the living and abiding word of God; ²⁴ for

And this word ^(BI)is the good news that was preached to you.

A Living Stone and a Holy People

2 ^(BJ)So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. ^2 (BK)Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual ^(BL)milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have ^(BM)tasted that the Lord is good.

⁴ As you come to him, a living stone ^(BN)rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, ^5 (BO)you yourselves like living stones are being built up as ^(BP)a spiritual house, to be ^(BQ)a holy priesthood, ^(BR)to offer spiritual sacrifices ^(BS)acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For it stands in Scripture:

⁷ So the honor is for you who ^(BV)believe, but for those who ^(BW)do not believe,

⁸ and

They stumble because they disobey the word, ^(BZ)as they were destined to do.

⁹ But you are ^(CA)a chosen race, ^(CB)a royal ^(CC)priesthood, ^(CD)a holy nation, ^(CE)a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you ^(CF)out of darkness into ^(CG)his marvelous light. ^10 (CH)Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

¹¹ Beloved, I urge you ^(CI)as sojourners and exiles ^(CJ)to abstain from the passions of the flesh, ^(CK)which wage war against your soul. ^12 (CL)Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, ^(CM)they may see your good deeds and glorify God on ^(CN)the day of visitation.

Submission to Authority

^13 (CO)Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution,^[d] whether it be to the emperor^[e] as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors as sent by him ^(CP)to punish those who do evil and ^(CQ)to praise those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, ^(CR)that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. ^16 (CS)Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but ^(CT)living as servants^[f] of God. ^17 (CU)Honor everyone. ^(CV)Love the brotherhood. ^(CW)Fear God. Honor the emperor.

^18 (CX)Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. ¹⁹ For this is a gracious thing, when, ^(CY)mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. ²⁰ For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But ^(CZ)if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. ²¹ For ^(DA)to this you have been called, ^(DB)because Christ also suffered for you, ^(DC)leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. ^22 (DD)He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. ^23 (DE)When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, ^(DF)but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. ^24 (DG)He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we ^(DH)might die to sin and ^(DI)live to righteousness. ^(DJ)By his wounds you have been healed. ²⁵ For ^(DK)you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to ^(DL)the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Wives and Husbands

3 Likewise, wives, ^(DM)be subject to your own husbands, so that ^(DN)even if some do not obey the word, ^(DO)they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, ² when they see your ^(DP)respectful and pure conduct. ^3 (DQ)Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— ⁴ but let your adorning be ^(DR)the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. ⁵ For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, ⁶ as Sarah obeyed Abraham, ^(DS)calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and ^(DT)do not fear anything that is frightening.

⁷ Likewise, ^(DU)husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker ^(DV)vessel, since they are heirs with you^[g] of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Suffering for Righteousness' Sake

⁸ Finally, all of you, ^(DW)have unity of mind, sympathy, ^(DX)brotherly love, ^(DY)a tender heart, and ^(DZ)a humble mind. ^9 (EA)Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, ^(EB)bless, for ^(EC)to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. ¹⁰ For

¹³ Now ^(EE)who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? ^14 (EF)But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. ^(EG)Have no fear of them, ^(EH)nor be troubled, ¹⁵ but ^(EI)in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, ^(EJ)always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and ^(EK)respect, ^16 (EL)having a good conscience, so that, ^(EM)when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. ¹⁷ For ^(EN)it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

¹⁸ For Christ also ^(EO)suffered^{[h] (EP)}once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, ^(EQ)that he might bring us to God, being put to death ^(ER)in the flesh but made alive ^(ES)in the spirit, ¹⁹ in which^[i] he went and ^(ET)proclaimed^[j] to the spirits in prison, ²⁰ because^[k] they formerly did not obey, ^(EU)when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, ^(EV)while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, ^(EW)eight persons, were brought safely through water. ²¹ Baptism, which corresponds to this, ^(EX)now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but ^(EY)as an appeal to God for a good conscience, ^(EZ)through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²² who has gone into heaven and ^(FA)is at the right hand of God, ^(FB)with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Stewards of God's Grace

4 Since therefore ^(FC)Christ suffered in the flesh,^{[l] (FD)}arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for ^(FE)whoever has suffered in the flesh ^(FF)has ceased from sin, ^2 (FG)so as to live for ^(FH)the rest of the time in the flesh ^(FI)no longer for human passions but ^(FJ)for the will of God. ³ For the time that is past ^(FK)suffices ^(FL)for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. ⁴ With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of ^(FM)debauchery, and ^(FN)they malign you; ⁵ but they will give account to him who is ready ^(FO)to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this is why ^(FP)the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

^7 (FQ)The end of all things is at hand; therefore ^(FR)be self-controlled and sober-minded ^(FS)for the sake of your prayers. ⁸ Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since ^(FT)love covers a multitude of sins. ^9 (FU)Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. ^10 (FV)As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, ^(FW)as good stewards of God's varied grace: ¹¹ whoever speaks, as one who speaks ^(FX)oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves ^(FY)by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything ^(FZ)God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. ^(GA)To him belong glory and ^(GB)dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian

¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at ^(GC)the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice ^(GD)insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad ^(GE)when his glory is revealed. ^14 (GF)If you are insulted ^(GG)for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory^[m] and of God rests upon you. ¹⁵ But ^(GH)let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or ^(GI)as a meddler. ¹⁶ Yet ^(GJ)if anyone suffers as a ^(GK)Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God ^(GL)in that name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment ^(GM)to begin at the household of God; and ^(GN)if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who ^(GO)do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And

¹⁹ Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will ^(GQ)entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Shepherd the Flock of God

5 So I exhort the elders among you, ^(GR)as a fellow elder and ^(GS)a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: ^2 (GT)shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,^{[o] (GU)}not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;^{[p] (GV)}not for shameful gain, but eagerly; ³ not ^(GW)domineering over those in your charge, but ^(GX)being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when ^(GY)the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the ^(GZ)unfading ^(HA)crown of glory. ⁵ Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. ^(HB)Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ^(HC)“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

^6 (HD)Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ^7 (HE)casting all your anxieties on him, because ^(HF)he cares for you. ^8 (HG)Be sober-minded; ^(HH)be watchful. Your ^(HI)adversary the devil ^(HJ)prowls around ^(HK)like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ^9 (HL)Resist him, ^(HM)firm in your faith, knowing that ^(HN)the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ¹⁰ And ^(HO)after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, ^(HP)who has called you to his ^(HQ)eternal glory in Christ, will himself ^(HR)restore, ^(HS)confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ^11 (HT)To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

¹² By ^(HU)Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, ^(HV)I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is ^(HW)the true grace of God. ^(HX)Stand firm in it. ¹³ She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does ^(HY)Mark, my son. ^14 (HZ)Greet one another with the kiss of love.

^(IA)Peace to all of you who are in Christ.