1 Peter 4:12–5:12
12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal w comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. x 13 Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the * Messiah, y so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation z of His glory. 14 If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, a you are blessed, because the Spirit b of glory and of God rests on you. c 15 None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler. d 16 But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name. 17 For the time has come for judgment e to begin with God’s household, f and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?
18 And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? g h
19 So those who suffer according to God’s will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves i to a faithful Creator.
5 Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness j to the sufferings of the * Messiah and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed, k I exhort the elders among you: 2 Shepherd God’s flock among you, l not overseeing m out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will; n not for the money but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd o appears, you will receive the unfading crown p of glory.
5 In the same way, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with q humility toward one another, because
God resists the proud
but gives grace to the humble. r s
6 Humble t yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand u of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, v 7 casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you. w
8 Be serious! x Be alert! y Your adversary the Devil z is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him a and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
10 Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory b in Christ Jesus, will personally c restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. d 11 The dominion e belongs to Him forever. f * Amen.
12 I have written you this brief letter through Silvanus g h (I know him to be a faithful brother) to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Take your stand in it!