1 Peter 4:1–19

Keep Fervent in Your Love

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

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

³For ^athe time already past is sufficient for you to have carried 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, and they ^bmalign you;

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

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

^7aThe end of all things ¹is near; therefore, ^bbe of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of ²prayer.

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

^9aBe hospitable to one another without ^bcomplaint.

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

^11aWhoever speaks, is to do so ¹as one who is speaking the ^butterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is 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 dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Share the Sufferings of Christ

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

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

¹⁴If you are reviled ^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 ashamed, but is to ^bglorify God in this name.

¹⁷For it is time for judgment ^ato begin ¹with ^bthe household 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 shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.