Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks
When You are Wronged
8 Finally, all of you must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love as brothers, and be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not pay others back evil for evil or insult for insult. Instead, keep blessing them, because you were called to inherit a blessing.
10 “For the person who wants to love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit.
11 He must turn away from evil and do good.
He must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the Lord[a] watches the righteous,[b]
and he pays attention to their prayers.[c]
But the Lord[d] opposes those[e] who do wrong.”[f]
13 Who will harm you if you are devoted to doing what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. “Never be afraid of their threats, and never get upset. 15 Instead, exalt[g] the Messiah”[h] as Lord in your lives.[i] Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you to explain the hope you have. 16 But do this[j] gently and respectfully, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak evil of your good conduct in the Messiah[k] will be ashamed of slandering you. 17 After all, if it is the will of God, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.
18 For the Messiah[l] also suffered[m] for sins once for all,
an innocent person for the guilty,
so that he could bring you[n] to God.
He was put to death in a mortal body
but was brought to life by the Spirit,
19 in which he went and made a proclamation to those imprisoned spirits 20 who disobeyed long ago in the days of Noah, when God waited patiently while the ark was being built. In it a few, that is, eight persons, were saved by water. 21 Baptism, which is symbolized by that water, now saves you also, not by removing dirt from the body, but by asking God for a clear[o] conscience based on the resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah,[p] 22 who has gone to heaven and is at the right hand of God, where angels, authorities, and powers have been made subject to him.
Good Managers of God’s Grace
4 Therefore, since the Messiah[q] suffered in a mortal body,[r] you, too, must arm yourselves with the same determination, because the person who has suffered in a mortal body has stopped sinning, 2 so that he can live the rest of his mortal life[s] guided, not by human desires, but by the will of God. 3 For you spent enough time in the past doing what the gentiles like to do, living in sensuality, sinful desires, drunkenness, wild celebrations, drinking parties, and detestable idolatry. 4 They insult you now because they are surprised that you are no longer joining them in the same excesses of wild living. 5 They will give an account to the one who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 Indeed, this is why the gospel was proclaimed even to those who have died, so that they could be judged in their mortal flesh like all humans and live in the spiritual realm like God.
7 Because everything will soon come to an end, be sensible and clear-headed, so you can pray. 8 Above all, continue to love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without complaining. 10 As good servant managers of God’s grace in its various forms, serve one another with the gift each of you has received. 11 Whoever speaks must speak God’s words.[t] Whoever serves must serve with the strength[u] that God supplies, so that in every way God may be glorified through Jesus, the Messiah.[v] Glory and power belong to him forever and ever! Amen.
Suffering as a Christian
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised by the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, because you are participating in the sufferings of the Messiah,[w] keep on rejoicing, so that you may be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of the Messiah,[x] you are blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God is resting on you.[y]
15 Of course, none of you should suffer for being a murderer, thief, criminal, or troublemaker. 16 But if you suffer for being a Christian, do not feel ashamed, but glorify God with that name. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. And if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who refuse to obey the gospel of God?
18 “If it is hard for the righteous person to be saved,
what will happen to the ungodly and sinful person?”[z]
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do what is good.
Be Shepherds of God’s Flock
5 Therefore, as a fellow elder, a witness of the Messiah’s[aa] sufferings, and one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over it, not because you must but because you want to, and not greedily but eagerly, as God desires. 3 Do not lord it over the people entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock. 4 Then, when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the victor’s crown of glory that will never fade away.
Be Humble and Alert
5 In a similar way, you young people must submit to the elders.[ab] All of you must clothe yourselves with humility for the sake of each other, because:
“God opposes the arrogant,
but gives grace to the humble.”[ac]
6 Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time he may exalt you. 7 Throw all your worry on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent, the Devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him and be firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you by the Messiah[ad] Jesus[ae] to his eternal glory, will restore you, establish you, strengthen you, and support you. 11 Power belongs[af] to him forever and ever! Amen.
Final Greeting
12 Through Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written this short letter to encourage you and to testify that this is to be the true grace of God in which you are to stand firm! 13 Your sister church[ag] in Babylon, chosen along with you, sends you greetings, as does Mark, whom I regard as a son. 14 Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace be to all of you who are in the Messiah![ah]
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