1 Peter, 4

1. As Christ has undergone bodily suffering, you too should arm yourselves with the same conviction, that anyone who has undergone bodily suffering has broken with sin,

1. Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

2. because for the rest of life on earth that person is ruled not by human passions but only by the will of God.

2. That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

3. You spent quite long enough in the past living the sort of life that gentiles choose to live, behaving in a debauched way, giving way to your passions, drinking to excess, having wild parties and drunken orgies and sacrilegiously worshipping false gods.

3. For the time past of [our] life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

4. So people are taken aback that you no longer hurry off with them to join this flood which is rushing down to ruin, and then abuse you for it.

4. Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with [them] to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of [you]:

5. They will have to answer for it before the judge who is to judge the living and the dead.

5. Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

6. And this was why the gospel was brought to the dead as well, so that, though in their bodies they had undergone the judgement that faces all humanity, in their spirit they might enjoy the life of God.

6. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

7. The end of all things is near, so keep your minds calm and sober for prayer.

7. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

8. Above all preserve an intense love for each other, since love covers over many a sin.

8. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

9. Welcome each other into your houses without grumbling.

9. Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

10. Each one of you has received a special grace, so, like good stewards responsible for all these varied graces of God, put it at the service of others.

10. As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11. If anyone is a speaker, let it be as the words of God, if anyone serves, let it be as in strength granted by God; so that in everything God may receive the glory, through Jesus Christ, since to him alone belong all glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.

11. If any man speak, [let him speak] as the oracles of God; if any man minister, [let him do it] as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12. My dear friends, do not be taken aback at the testing by fire which is taking place among you, as though something strange were happening to you;

12. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

13. but in so far as you share in the sufferings of Christ, be glad, so that you may enjoy a much greater gladness when his glory is revealed.

13. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

14. If you are insulted for bearing Christ's name, blessed are you, for on you rests the Spirit of God, the Spirit of glory.

14. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

15. None of you should ever deserve to suffer for being a murderer, a thief, a criminal or an informer;

15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or [as] a thief, or [as] an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

16. but if any one of you should suffer for being a Christian, then there must be no shame but thanksgiving to God for bearing this name.

16. Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

17. The time has come for the judgement to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who refuse to believe God's gospel?

17. For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?

18. If it is hard for the upright to be saved, what will happen to the wicked and to sinners?

18. And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19. So even those whom God allows to suffer should commit themselves to a Creator who is trustworthy, and go on doing good.

19. Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.