Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks

⁸ ¶ And finally, be ye all of one consent, of one affection, loving each other fraternally, merciful, courteous,

⁹ not rendering evil for evil or curse for curse, but to the contrary, blessing, knowing that ye are called, that ye should possess a blessing by inheritance.

¹⁰ For he that desires to love life and see the good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil and his lips that they speak no guile;

¹¹ let him separate himself from evil and do good; let him seek peace and follow it.

¹² For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those that do evil.

¹³ And who is he that can harm you, if ye are followers of that which is good?

¹⁴ But also if ye suffer anything for righteousness’ sake, blessed are ye; therefore, be not afraid of their terror neither be troubled,

¹⁵ but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to respond to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and reverence,

¹⁶ ¶ having a good conscience, so in that which they murmur against you as of evildoers, those that blaspheme your good conversation in the Christ may be confused.

¹⁷ For it is better (if the will of God so desires) that ye suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

¹⁸ ¶ For the Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in spirit,

¹⁹ in which he also went and preached unto the imprisoned spirits,

²⁰ which in the time past were disobedient, when once the patience of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being made ready, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

²¹ ¶ Unto the figure of which the baptism that does now correspond saves us (not taking away the uncleanness of the flesh, but giving testimony of a good conscience before God) by the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ,

²² who is at the right hand of God, having ascended into heaven, unto whom the angels and the authorities and powers are subject.

4 ¶ Since the Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, be ye also armed with the same thought; for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

² so that now the time that remains in the flesh, he might live, not unto the lusts of men, but unto the will of God.

³ For it should suffice us that during the time past of our life we had done the will of the Gentiles, when we conversed in lasciviousness, lusts, drunkenness, gluttony, orgies, and abominable idolatries.

⁴ ¶ And it seems strange to those that speak evil of you, that ye do not run with them to the same unchecked dissolution;

⁵ the same shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead.

⁶ Because for this cause was the gospel preached also to those that are dead, that they might be judged in flesh according to men, but live in spirit according to God.

⁷ ¶ But the end of all things is at hand; be ye, therefore, temperate and watch unto prayer.

⁸ And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves; for charity shall cover a multitude of sins.

⁹ Lovingly be hospitable one to another without murmuring.

¹⁰ Let each one according to the gift that he has received, administer it unto the others, as a good steward of the diverse graces of God.

¹¹ If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God; if anyone ministers, let them do it according to the virtue which God gives, that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus, the Christ, unto whom is glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

¹² ¶ Beloved, think it not strange when you are tried by fire (which is done to prove you) as though some strange thing happened unto you,

¹³ but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of the afflictions of the Christ, so that also in the revelation of his glory, ye may rejoice in triumph.

¹⁴ If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; for the glory and the Spirit of God rests upon you; certainly on their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.

¹⁵ So let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as desirous of the things of others.

¹⁶ But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf.

¹⁷ For it is time that the judgment begins from the house of God; and if it first begins with us, what shall the end be of those that do not obey the gospel of God?

¹⁸ And if the righteous are saved with difficulty, where shall the unfaithful and the sinner appear?

¹⁹ Therefore, let those that are afflicted according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls unto him as unto a faithful Creator, doing good.

5 ¶ The elders who are among you I exhort (I am also an elder with them and a witness of the afflictions of the Christ, and also a participant of the glory that shall be revealed).

² Feed the flock of God which is among you, caring for her, not by force, but willingly; not for shameful lucre, but with willing desire;

³ and not as having lordship over the heritage of the Lord, but in such a manner as to be examples of the flock.

⁴ And when the great Prince of the pastors shall appear, ye shall receive the incorruptible crown of glory.

⁵ ¶ Likewise, young people, be subject to the elders in such a manner that you are all subject to one another. Be clothed with humility of will, for God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time,

⁷ casting all your cares upon him, for he cares for you.

⁸ ¶ Be temperate and vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour,

⁹ resist him steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are to be accomplished in the company of your brethren that are in the world.

¹⁰ ¶ But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Jesus, the Christ, after ye have suffered a little while, he himself perfects, confirms, strengthens, and establishes you.

¹¹ To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

¹² By Silvanus, a faithful brother; (according to my reckoning), I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which ye stand.

¹³ Those here at Babylon, chosen together with you, salute you and so does Mark, my son.

¹⁴ Greet one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Jesus, the Christ. Amen.