Therefore, since ^aChrist has ¹suffered in the flesh, ^barm yourselves also with the same purpose, because ^che who has ²suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 ^aso as to live ^bthe rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the ^cwill of God. 3 For ^athe time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, ^1bhaving pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and ²abominable idolatries. 4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of ^adissipation, and they ^bmalign you; 5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge ^athe living and the dead. 6 For ^athe gospel has for this purpose been ¹preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

7 ^aThe end of all things ¹is near; therefore, ^bbe of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of ²prayer. 8 Above all, ^akeep fervent in your love for one another, because ^blove covers a multitude of sins. 9 ^aBe hospitable to one another without ^bcomplaint. 10 ^aAs each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good ^bstewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 ^aWhoever speaks, is to do so ¹as one who is speaking the ^butterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving ^2cby the strength which God supplies; so that ^din all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, ^eto whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

12 ^aBeloved, do not be surprised at the ^bfiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you ^ashare the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the ^brevelation of His glory ^cyou may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled ^1afor the name of Christ, ^byou are blessed, ^cbecause the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that ^anone of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a ^1btroublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a ^aChristian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to ^bglorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment ^ato begin ¹with ^bthe household of God; and if it ^cbegins with us first, what will be the outcome for those ^dwho do not obey the ^egospel of God? 18 ^aAND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, ¹WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE ^bGODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to ^athe will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

Therefore, since ^1aChrist suffered in the flesh and died for us, ^barm yourselves like warriors with the same purpose being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God, because ^cwhoever has suffered in the flesh being like-minded with Christ is done with intentional sin having stopped pleasing the world, 2 ^aso that he can no longer spend ^bthe rest of his natural life living for human appetites and desires, but lives for the ^cwill and purpose of God. 3 For ^athe time already past is more than enough for doing what the unsaved Gentiles like to do—^1bliving unrestrained as you have done in a course of shameless sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries. 4 In connection with all this, they the unbelievers are resentful and surprised that you do not think like them, value their values and run hand in hand with them into the same excesses of ^adissipation and immoral freedom, and they ^bcriticize and abuse and ridicule you and make fun of your values. 5 But they will have to give an account to Him who is ready to judge and pass sentence on ^athe living and the dead. 6 For this is why ^athe good news of salvation was preached in their lifetimes even to those who are dead, that though they were judged in the flesh as men are, they may live in the spirit according to the will and purpose of God.

7 ^aThe end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, ^bbe sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him. 8 Above all, ^ahave ¹fervent and unfailing love for one another, because ^blove covers a multitude of sins it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others. Prov 10:12 9 ^aBe ¹hospitable to one another without ^bcomplaint. 10 ^aJust as each one of you has received a special gift a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God, employ it in serving one another as is appropriate for good ^bstewards of God’s multi-faceted grace faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor. 11 ^aWhoever speaks to the congregation, is to do so as one who speaks the ^boracles (utterances, the very words) of God. Whoever serves the congregation is to do so as one who serves ^cby the strength which God abundantly supplies, so that ^din all things God may be glorified honored and magnified through Jesus Christ, ^eto whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

12 ^aBeloved, do not be surprised at the ^bfiery ordeal which is taking place to test you that is, to test the quality of your faith, as though something strange or unusual were happening to you. 13 But insofar as you are ^asharing Christ’s sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when His glory filled with His radiance and splendor is ^brevealed, ^cyou may rejoice with great joy. 14 If you are insulted and reviled ^afor bearing the name of Christ, ^byou are blessed happy, with life-joy and comfort in God’s salvation regardless of your circumstances, ^cbecause the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you and indwelling you—He whom they curse, you glorify. Is 11:2 15 Make sure that ^anone of you suffers as a murderer, or a thief, or any sort of criminal in response to persecution, or as a ^btroublesome meddler interfering in the affairs of others; 16 but if anyone suffers ill-treatment as a ^1aChristian because of his belief, he is not to be ashamed, but is to ^bglorify God because he is considered worthy to suffer in this name. 17 For it is the time destined for judgment ^ato begin with ^bthe household of God; and if ^cit begins with us, what will the outcome be for those ^dwho do not respect or believe or obey the ^egospel of God? 18 ^aAND IF IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THE RIGHTEOUS TO BE SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE ^bGODLESS AND THE SINNER? Prov 11:31 19 Therefore, those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with ^athe will of God must continue to do right and commit their souls for safe-keeping to the faithful Creator.