1 Peter 4

CHAPTER 4

Keep Fervent in Your Love

¹Therefore, since ^aChrist has ¹suffered in the flesh, ^barm yourselves also with the same purpose—because ^che who has ²suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin—

^2aso as to no longer live ^bthe rest of the time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the ^cwill of God.

³For ^athe time already past is sufficient for you to have worked out the desire of the Gentiles, ^1bhaving pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and ²abominable idolatries.

⁴In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of ^adissipation, ^bmaligning you,

⁵but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge ^athe living and the dead.

⁶For to this ^athe gospel has been ¹proclaimed even to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh as men, they live in the spirit according to the will of God.

^7aThe end of all things is at hand; therefore, ^bbe of sound thinking and sober spirit for the purpose of ¹prayer.

⁸Above all, ^akeep fervent in your love for one another, because ^blove covers a multitude of sins.

^9aBe hospitable to one another without ^bgrumbling.

^10aAs each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another as good ^bstewards of the manifold grace of God—

^11awhoever speaks, ¹as one speaking the ^boracles of God; whoever serves, as one serving ^2cby the strength which God supplies; so that ^din all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, ^eto whom belongs the glory and might forever and ever. Amen.

Sharing the Suffering of Christ

^12aBeloved, do not be surprised at the ^bfiery trial among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.

¹³But to the degree you are ^asharing the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the ^brevelation of His glory ^cyou may rejoice with exultation.

¹⁴If you are insulted ^1afor the name of Christ, ^byou are blessed, ^cbecause the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

¹⁵Make sure that ^anone of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a ^1btroublesome meddler;

¹⁶but if anyone suffers as a ^aChristian, he is not to be put to shame, but is to ^bglorify God in this name.

¹⁷For it is time for judgment ^ato begin ¹with ^bthe house of God; and if it ^cbegins with us first, what will be the outcome for those ^dwho do not obey the ^egospel of God?

^18aAnd if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, ¹what will become of the ^bgodless man and the sinner?

¹⁹Therefore, those also who suffer according to ^athe will of God must entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing good.