1 Peter 3:8-4:19

New American Standard Bible 1995

^8 [a]To sum up, ^(A)all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, ^(B)brotherly, ^(C)kindhearted, and ^(D)humble in spirit; ^9 (E)not returning evil for evil or ^(F)insult for insult, but ^[b]giving a ^(G)blessing instead; for ^(H)you were called for the very purpose that you might ^(I)inherit a blessing. ¹⁰ For,

^13 (M)Who is ^[c]there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should ^(N)suffer for the sake of righteousness, ^(O)you ^[d]are blessed. ^(P)And do not fear their ^[e]intimidation, and do not be troubled, ¹⁵ but ^[f]sanctify ^(Q)Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready ^(R)to make a ^[g]defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the ^(S)hope that is in you, yet ^(T)with gentleness and ^[h](U)reverence; ^16 [i]and keep a ^(V)good conscience so that in the thing in which ^(W)you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. ¹⁷ For ^(X)it is better, ^(Y)if ^[j]God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. ¹⁸ For ^(Z)Christ also died for sins ^(AA)once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might ^(AB)bring us to God, having been put to death ^(AC)in the flesh, but made alive ^(AD)in the ^[k]spirit; ¹⁹ in ^[l]which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, ²⁰ who once were disobedient, when the ^(AE)patience of God ^(AF)kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of ^(AG)the ark, in which a few, that is, ^(AH)eight ^(AI)persons, were brought safely through the ^[m]water. ^21 (AJ)Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—^(AK)not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God ^[n]for a ^(AL)good conscience—through ^(AM)the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ^22 (AN)who is at the right hand of God, ^(AO)having gone into heaven, ^(AP)after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

Keep Fervent in Your Love

4 Therefore, since ^(AQ)Christ has ^[o]suffered in the flesh, ^(AR)arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because ^(AS)he who has ^[p]suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ^2 (AT)so as to live ^(AU)the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the ^(AV)will of God. ³ For ^(AW)the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, ^[q](AX)having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and ^[r]abominable idolatries. ⁴ In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of ^(AY)dissipation, and they ^(AZ)malign you; ⁵ but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge ^(BA)the living and the dead. ⁶ For ^(BB)the gospel has for this purpose been ^[s]preached 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 (BC)The end of all things ^[t]is near; therefore, ^(BD)be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of ^[u]prayer. ⁸ Above all, ^(BE)keep fervent in your love for one another, because ^(BF)love covers a multitude of sins. ^9 (BG)Be hospitable to one another without ^(BH)complaint. ^10 (BI)As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good ^(BJ)stewards of the manifold grace of God. ^11 (BK)Whoever speaks, is to do so ^[v]as one who is speaking the ^(BL)utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving ^[w](BM)by the strength which God supplies; so that ^(BN)in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, ^(BO)to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Share the Sufferings of Christ

^12 (BP)Beloved, do not be surprised at the ^(BQ)fiery 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 ^(BR)share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the ^(BS)revelation of His glory ^(BT)you may rejoice with exultation. ¹⁴ If you are reviled ^[x](BU)for the name of Christ, ^(BV)you are blessed, ^(BW)because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ Make sure that ^(BX)none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a ^[y](BY)troublesome meddler; ¹⁶ but if anyone suffers as a ^(BZ)Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to ^(CA)glorify God in this name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment ^(CB)to begin ^[z]with ^(CC)the household of God; and if it ^(CD)begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those ^(CE)who do not obey the ^(CF)gospel of God? ^18 (CG)And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, ^[aa]what will become of the ^(CH)godless man and the sinner? ¹⁹ Therefore, those also who suffer according to ^(CI)the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.