1 Peter 3:13-4:17

English Standard Version

¹³Now ^(A)who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? ¹⁴^(B)But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. ^(C)Have no fear of them, ^(D)nor be troubled, ¹⁵but ^(E)in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, ^(F)always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and ^(G)respect, ¹⁶^(H)having a good conscience, so that, ^(I)when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. ¹⁷For ^(J)it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

¹⁸For Christ also ^(K)suffered^[a] ^(L)once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, ^(M)that he might bring us to God, being put to death ^(N)in the flesh but made alive ^(O)in the spirit, ¹⁹in which^[b] he went and ^(P)proclaimed^[c] to the spirits in prison, ²⁰because^[d] they formerly did not obey, ^(Q)when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, ^(R)while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, ^(S)eight persons, were brought safely through water. ²¹Baptism, which corresponds to this, ^(T)now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but ^(U)as an appeal to God for a good conscience, ^(V)through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²²who has gone into heaven and ^(W)is at the right hand of God, ^(X)with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Stewards of God's Grace

4 Since therefore ^(Y)Christ suffered in the flesh,^[e] ^(Z)arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for ^(AA)whoever has suffered in the flesh ^(AB)has ceased from sin, ²^(AC)so as to live for ^(AD)the rest of the time in the flesh ^(AE)no longer for human passions but ^(AF)for the will of God. ³For the time that is past ^(AG)suffices ^(AH)for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. ⁴With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of ^(AI)debauchery, and ^(AJ)they malign you; ⁵but they will give account to him who is ready ^(AK)to judge the living and the dead. ⁶For this is why ^(AL)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.

⁷^(AM)The end of all things is at hand; therefore ^(AN)be self-controlled and sober-minded ^(AO)for the sake of your prayers. ⁸Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since ^(AP)love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹^(AQ)Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰^(AR)As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, ^(AS)as good stewards of God's varied grace: ¹¹whoever speaks, as one who speaks ^(AT)oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves ^(AU)by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything ^(AV)God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. ^(AW)To him belong glory and ^(AX)dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian

¹²Beloved, do not be surprised at ^(AY)the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³But rejoice ^(AZ)insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad ^(BA)when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴^(BB)If you are insulted ^(BC)for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory^[f] and of God rests upon you. ¹⁵But ^(BD)let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or ^(BE)as a meddler. ¹⁶Yet ^(BF)if anyone suffers as a ^(BG)Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God ^(BH)in that name. ¹⁷For it is time for judgment ^(BI)to begin at the household of God; and ^(BJ)if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who ^(BK)do not obey the gospel of God?