The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Letter 04
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us
in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the
same mind; for he who has suffered in the
flesh has ceased from sin,
2 that you no longer should live the rest
of your time in the flesh for the lusts of
men, but for the will of God.
3 For we have spent enough of our
past time doing the desire of the Gentiles,
and having walked in lewdness, lusts,
drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and
abominable idolatries.
4 They think it is strange that you don’t
run with them into the same excess of riot,
speaking evil of you.
5 They will give account to him who is
ready to judge the living and the dead.
6 For to this end the Good News was
preached even to the dead, that they might
be judged indeed as men in the flesh, but
live as to God in the spirit.
7 But the end of all things is near.
Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled,
and sober in prayer.
8 And above all things be earnest in your
love among yourselves, for love covers a
multitude of sins.
9 Be hospitable to one another without
grumbling.
10 As each has received a gift, employ it
in serving one another, as good managers
of the grace of God in its various forms.
11 If anyone speaks, let it be as it were
the very words of God. If anyone serves,
let it be as of the strength which God
supplies,thatinallthings Godmay be glorified
through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the
glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, don’t be astonished at the
fiery trial which has come upon you to test
you, as though a strange thing happened to you.
13 But because you are partakers of
Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that
at the revelation of his glory you
also may rejoice with exceeding joy.
14 If you are insulted for the name of
Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit
of glory and of God rests on you. On their
part he is blasphemed, but on your part he
is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer,
or a thief, or an evil doer, or a
meddler in other men’s matters.
16 But if one of you suffers for being a
Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let
him glorify God in this matter.
17 For the time has come for judgment
to begin with the household of God. If it
begins first with us, what will happen to
those who don’t obey the Good News of
God?
18 “If it is hard for the righteous to be
saved, what will happen to the ungodly
and the sinner?”*
19 Therefore let them also who suffer
according to the will of God in doing good
entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful
Creator.