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1 Peter 4

English Standard Version



1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,[1] arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, (Ro 6:2; Ro 6:7; Ga 5:24; Eph 6:13; Col 3:3; Col 3:5; 1Pe 3:18; 2Pe 2:14) 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. (Ro 6:11; Ro 6:14; Ro 14:7; 2Co 5:15; Tit 2:12; 1Pe 1:14; 1Jo 2:16) 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. (Eze 44:6; Eze 45:9; Ac 17:30; 1Co 12:2; Eph 4:17; 1Th 4:5) 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; (Eph 5:18; 1Pe 2:12; 1Pe 3:16) 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (Ac 10:42; Jas 5:9) 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. (1Pe 3:19) 7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. (Mt 26:41; Lu 21:36; Jas 5:8; 1Pe 1:13) 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. (1Co 13:5; Jas 5:20) 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:8; Heb 13:2) 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: (Mt 25:15; Lu 12:42; Ro 12:6; 1Co 4:1; 1Co 4:7; Tit 1:7) 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Ac 7:38; Ro 3:2; Ro 11:36; Ro 12:3; 1Co 10:31; Heb 5:12; 1Pe 5:11; Jud 1:25; Re 1:6; Re 5:13) 



12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (1Pe 1:7) 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (Ac 5:41; Ro 8:17; Php 3:10; 1Pe 1:5; 1Pe 5:1; Jud 1:24) 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory[2] and of God rests upon you. (Ps 89:51; Mt 5:11; Joh 15:21; Heb 11:26) 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. (1Th 4:11; 2Th 3:11; 1Ti 5:13; 1Pe 2:19; 1Pe 3:14; 1Pe 3:17) 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. (Ac 26:28; 1Pe 4:14; 1Pe 4:15) 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (Jer 25:29; Eze 9:6; Am 3:2; Lu 23:31; Ro 2:9; 2Th 1:8) 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[3] (Pr 11:31) 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (Ps 10:14; Ps 31:5; Lu 23:46; 2Ti 1:12) 

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The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

1 Peter 4

New International Version



1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body has finished with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do – living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 



12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, ‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’[1] (Pr 11:31) 19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 

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1 Peter 4

King James Version

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 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 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 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 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 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 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 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 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 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 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 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 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 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 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 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. 

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1 Peter 4

New International Reader’s Version



1 Christ suffered in his body. So prepare yourselves to think in the same way Christ did. Do this because whoever suffers in their body is finished with sin. 2 As a result, they don’t live the rest of their earthly life for evil human desires. Instead, they live to do what God wants. 3 You have spent enough time in the past doing what ungodly people choose to do. You lived a wild life. You longed for evil things. You got drunk. You went to wild parties. You worshipped statues of gods, which the Lord hates. 4 Ungodly people are surprised that you no longer join them in what they do. They want you to join them in their wild and wasteful living. So they say bad things about you. 5 But they will have to explain their actions to God. He is ready to judge those who are alive and those who are dead. 6 That’s why the good news was preached even to people who are now dead. It was preached to them for two reasons. It was preached so that their bodies might be judged. This judgment is made by human standards. But the good news was also preached so that their spirits might live. This life comes by means of God’s power. 7 The end of all things is near. So be watchful and control yourselves. Then you may pray. 8 Most of all, love one another deeply. Love erases many sins by forgiving them. 9 Welcome others into your homes without complaining. 10 God’s gifts of grace come in many forms. Each of you has received a gift in order to serve others. You should use it faithfully. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do it as one speaking God’s words. If anyone serves, they should do it with the strength God provides. Then in all things God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Glory and power belong to him for ever and ever. Amen. 



12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised by the terrible things happening to you. The trouble you are having has come to test you. So don’t feel as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be joyful that you are taking part in Christ’s sufferings. Then you will have even more joy when Christ returns in glory. 14 Suppose people say bad things about you because you believe in Christ. Then you are blessed, because God’s Spirit rests on you. He is the Spirit of glory. 15 If you suffer, it shouldn’t be because you are a murderer. It shouldn’t be because you are a thief or someone who does evil things. It shouldn’t be because you interfere with other people’s business. 16 But suppose you suffer for being a Christian. Then don’t be ashamed. Instead, praise God because you are known by the name of Christ. 17 It is time for judgment to begin with the household of God. And since it begins with us, what will happen to people who don’t obey God’s good news? 18 Scripture says, ‘Suppose it is hard for godly people to be saved. Then what will happen to ungodly people and sinners?’ (Pr 11:31) 19 Here is what people who suffer because of God’s plan should do. They should commit themselves to their faithful Creator. And they should continue to do good. 

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