Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

⁷ And^[a] the end of all things has drawn-near.

So Be Sober In Prayer, Loving One Another, And Good Stewards of God’s Gifts To You

Therefore be sound-minded and be sober in^[b] your prayers— ⁸ above all, having fervent love for each other, because love covers a multitude of sins; ⁹ being hospitable to one another without grumbling; ¹⁰ as each received a grace-gift, ministering it to each other as good stewards^[c] of the diversified grace of God— ¹¹ if anyone speaks, as speaking oracles^[d] of God; if anyone serves, as serving by strength which God supplies— in order that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ, to Whom is the glory and the dominion forever and ever, amen.

Beloved, Be Rejoicing To Share In The Sufferings of Christ

¹² Beloved, do not be thinking-strange the fiery^[e] suffering among you coming upon you for a trial^[f], as-though a strange thing were happening to you, ¹³ but be rejoicing to-the-degree you are sharing in the sufferings of Christ, in order that you may also rejoice while being overjoyed at the revelation of His glory! ¹⁴ If you are being reproached^[g] in^[h] the name of Christ, you are blessed^[i] ones!— because the Spirit of glory and of God is resting upon you. ¹⁵ For let none of you be suffering as a murderer or thief or evil-doer, or as a meddler^[j]. ¹⁶ But if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him be glorifying God in this name. ¹⁷ Because it is time that the judgment begin from the household^[k] of God. But if it begins first from us, what will be the outcome of the ones disobeying the good-news of God? ¹⁸ “And if the righteous one is saved with-difficulty, where will the ungodly and sinner appear^[l]?” [Prov 11:31].

Entrust Your Souls To God While Doing Good

¹⁹ So then, let indeed the ones suffering according to the will of God be entrusting their souls in good-doing to a faithful Creator.