Chapter 4

¹Since Christ therefore has suffered in our physical nature, you must also arm yourselves with the same resolve. For he who suffers in his physical nature has done with sin, ²and no longer lives by what men desire, but for the rest of his earthly life by what God wills. ³You have spent time enough in the past in doing as the heathen like to do, indulging in sensuality, passion, drunkenness, carousing, dissipation, and detestable idolatry. ⁴They are amazed that you no longer join them in plunging into the flood of dissipation, and they abuse you for it; ⁵but they will have to answer for it to him who is ready to judge living and dead. ⁶This is why the good news was preached to the dead also, that though they are judged in their physical nature as men are, they may yet live, like God, in the Spirit.

⁷But the end of all things is near. Be serious and collected, therefore, and pray. ⁸Above all keep your love for one another strong, because love covers up a host of sins. ⁹Be ungrudgingly hospitable to one another. ¹⁰Whatever the endowment God has given you, use it in service to one another, like good dispensers of God’s varied mercy. ¹¹If one preaches, let him do it like one who utters the words of God; if one does some service, let him do it as with strength which God supplies, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

¹²Dear friends, do not be surprised that a test of fire is being applied to you, as though a strange thing were happening to you, ¹³but be glad that you are in a measure sharing the sufferings of the Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may be triumphantly happy. ¹⁴If you are being abused for the sake of Christ, you are blessed, because the glorious Spirit of God is resting upon you. ¹⁵For no one of you must suffer as a murderer or thief or criminal or revolutionist, ¹⁶but if a man suffers for being a Christian, he must not be ashamed of it, but must do honor to God through that name. ¹⁷For the time has come for the judgment to begin with the household of God, and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who refuse God’s good news? ¹⁸If it is hard for the upright man to be saved, what will become of the godless and sinful? ¹⁹Therefore, those who suffer by the will of God must intrust their souls to a Creator who is faithful, and continue to do what is right.