1 Peter 4

1So then, since Christ suffered in the body, you too must arm yourselves with the same resolve, because whoever has suffered in the body is done with sin. 2Then you will spend the rest of your time in the body living no longer for human desires but for what God wills. 3For the time that is behind you was enough for doing as the pagans please: a life of sensuality and lust, drunkenness, wild feasts, drinking parties and forbidden idol worship. 4They are surprised that you no longer plunge with them into the same flood of wild and wasteful living, and so they speak evil of you. 5They will answer for this to the one who stands ready to judge both the living and the dead. 6This is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead: so that, though by human reckoning they were judged in the body, by God’s reckoning they might live in the spirit.

7The end of all things is near. So be sensible and keep a clear head for the sake of your prayers. 8Most important of all, keep your love for one another strong and unfailing, because love covers a great many sins. 9Welcome one another into your homes without complaining. 10Each of you has received a gift; use it to serve one another, as good managers of the richly varied grace of God. 11Whoever speaks must speak as one bringing God’s own words. Whoever serves must serve in the strength God supplies. Then in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and power forever and ever. Amen.

12Dear friends, the fire that is burning among you has come to test you; do not be taken aback by it, as though something alien to you were happening. 13No, the more you share in the sufferings of Christ, the more you should rejoice, so that you may also rejoice with shouts of joy when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you are blessed, since the Spirit of glory, the very Spirit of God, rests on you. 15Of course, none of you should suffer for being a murderer or a thief or a criminal, or even for interfering in other people’s affairs. 16But if someone suffers for being a Christian, they should feel no shame, but should give glory to God by bearing this name. 17For now is the time for judgment to start, and it starts at God’s own house. If we are the first to face it, how will it end for those who refuse to obey God’s gospel? 18And, “If the righteous are saved only with difficulty, what place will there be for the godless and the sinner?” 19So, then, those who suffer as God wills should place themselves in the hands of the Creator, who is faithful, while they keep on doing what is good.