1 Peter 4

1 Since Christ has suffered physically, take the same attitude that he had. (A person who has suffered physically no longer sins.)2 That way you won’t be guided by sinful human desires as you live the rest of your lives on earth. Instead, you will be guided by what God wants you to do.3 You spent enough time in the past doing what unbelievers like to do. You were promiscuous, had sinful desires, got drunk, went to wild parties, and took part in the forbidden worship of false gods.4 Unbelievers insult you now because they are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of wild living.5 They will give an account to the one who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

6 After all, the Good News was told to people like that, although they are now dead. It was told to them so that they could be judged like humans in their earthly lives and live like God in their spiritual lives.
7 The end of everything is near. Therefore, practice self-control, and keep your minds clear so that you can pray.8 Above all, love each other warmly, because love covers many sins.9 Welcome each other as guests without complaining.10 Each of you as a good manager must use the gift that God has given you to serve others.

11 Whoever speaks must speak God’s words. Whoever serves must serve with the strength God supplies so that in every way God receives glory through Jesus Christ. Glory and power belong to Jesus Christ forever and ever! Amen.

Share Christ’s Sufferings

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised by the fiery troubles that are coming in order to test you. Don’t feel as though something strange is happening to you,13 but be happy as you share Christ’s sufferings. Then you will also be full of joy when he appears again in his glory.

14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory—the Spirit of God—is resting on you.
15 If you suffer, you shouldn’t suffer for being a murderer, thief, criminal, or troublemaker.16 If you suffer for being a Christian, don’t feel ashamed, but praise God for being called that name.17 The time has come for the judgment to begin, and it will begin with God’s family. If it starts with us, what will be the end for those who refuse to obey the Good News of God?18 If it’s hard for the person who has God’s approval to be saved, what will happen to the godless sinner?

19 Those who suffer because that is God’s will for them must entrust themselves to a faithful creator and continue to do what is good.

1 Peter 4

1 Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;2 that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.3 For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries:4 wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:5 who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead.6 For unto this end was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer:8 above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins:9 using hospitality one to another without murmuring:10 according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God;11 if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; is any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you:13 but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy.14 If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you.15 For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters:16 but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.17 For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?18 And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?19 Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.