1Peter 4
4SO, SINCE Christ suffered in the flesh {for us, for you}, arm yourselves with the same thought {and} purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God],G3767G5547G3958G5228G2257G4561G3695G5210G2532G846G1771G3754G3958G1722G4561G3973G2662So that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living by [his] human appetites {and} desires, but [he lives] for what God wills.G1519G980G3371G980G1954G5550G1722G4561G1939G444G235G2307G23163For the time that is past already suffices for doing what the Gentiles like to do--living [as you have done] in shameless, insolent wantonness, in lustful desires, drunkenness, reveling, drinking bouts {and} abominable, lawless idolatries.G1063G5550G3928G979G713G2254G2716G2307G1484G4198G1722G766G1939G3632G2970G4224G2532G111G14954They are astonished {and} think it very queer that you do not now run hand in hand with them in the same excesses of dissipation, and they abuse [you].G1722G3739G3579G5216G4936G3361G1519G846G401G810G9875But they will have to give an account to Him Who is ready to judge {and} pass sentence on the living and the dead.G3739G591G3056G2192G2093G2919G2198G2532G34986For this is why the good news (the Gospel) was preached [in their lifetime] even to the dead, that though judged in fleshly bodies as men are, they might live in the spirit as God does.G1063G1519G5124G2097G2532G3498G2443G2919G3303G2596G444G4561G1161G2198G2596G2316G41517But the end {and} culmination of all things has now come near; keep sound minded {and} self-restrained and alert therefore for [the practice of] prayer.G1161G5056G3956G1448G4993G3767G4993G2532G3525G1519G43358Above all things have intense {and} unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].G1161G4253G3956G2192G1618G26G1519G1438G3754G26G2572G4128G2669Practice hospitality to one another (those of the household of faith). [Be hospitable, be a lover of strangers, with brotherly affection for the unknown guests, the foreigners, the poor, and all others who come your way who are of Christ's body.] And [in each instance] do it ungrudgingly (cordially and graciously, without complaining but as representing Him).G5382G1519G240G427G111210As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God's many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor].G2531G1538G2983G5486G1247G846G1519G1438G5613G2570G3623G4164G5485G231611Whoever speaks, [let him do it as one who utters] oracles of God; whoever renders service, [let him do it] as with the strength which God furnishes abundantly, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever (through endless ages). Amen (so be it).G1536G2980G5613G3051G2316G1536G1247G5613G1537G2479G3739G2316G5524G2443G2316G1722G3956G1392G1223G2424G5547G3739G2076G1391G2532G2904G1519G165G165G28112Beloved, do not be amazed {and} bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you.G27G3579G3361G3579G5213G4451G1722G1096G4314G3986G5213G5613G3581G4819G521313But insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, rejoice, so that when His glory [full of radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly].G235G5463G2526G2841G5547G3804G2443G1722G846G1391G602G5463G2532G2114If you are censured {and} suffer abuse [because you bear] the name of Christ, blessed [are you--happy, fortunate, to be envied, with life-joy, and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of your outward condition], because the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God, is resting upon you. {On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.}G1487G3679G1722G3686G5547G3107G3754G4151G1391G2532G2316G373G1909G5209G2596G3303G846G987G1161G2596G5209G139215But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or any sort of criminal, or as a mischief-maker (a meddler) in the affairs of others [infringing on their rights].G1063G3958G3361G5100G5216G3958G5613G5406G2228G2812G2228G2555G2228G5613G24416But if [one is ill-treated and suffers] as a Christian [which he is contemptuously called], let him not be ashamed, but give glory to God that he is [deemed worthy to suffer] in this name.G1161G1487G5613G5546G153G3361G153G1161G1392G2316G1722G5129G331317For the time [has arrived] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will [be] the end of those who do not respect {or} believe {or} obey the good news (the Gospel) of God?G3754G2540G2917G756G575G3624G2316G1161G1487G4412G575G2257G5101G5056G544G2098G231618And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the godless and wicked?G2532G1487G1342G3433G4982G4226G5316G765G2532G268G531619Therefore, those who are ill-treated {and} suffer in accordance with God's will must do right and commit their souls [in charge as a deposit] to the One Who created [them] and will never fail [them].G5620G2532G3908G3958G2596G2307G2316G3908G1438G5590G1722G16G5613G4103G2939
Columbus, OH
