THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF
PETER
1 Peter 4 ©
1 From the consideration of Christ’s suffering, the apostle draws an exhortation that they must not live according to the lusts of the flesh, but according to the will of God. 4 And teaches that they who do the contrary, or seduce others thereunto, shall give an account to God. 6 That therefore also the Gospel was preached to the dead. 7 Afterward exhorts them to sobriety, prayer, love and other virtues. 10 And above all to the right employment of the gifts and administrations, which everyone has received. 12 Teaches again that the lot of the faithful is to suffer afflictions, and that this is happy for them. 15 But warns them that no man suffers as an evil doer, but that he suffers as a Christian. 17 Forasmuch as God’s judgment begins from his own house. 18 Yet that the others have to expect a heavier judgment hereafter.
FORASMUCH then as Christ hath 1suffered for us 2in the flesh, 3arma yourselves likewise with the same mind: forb4he that hath suffered in the flesh hath 5ceased from sin;
Thatc he no longer should live 6the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts 7of men, but to the will of God.
Ford8the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought 9the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and 10abominable idolatries:
Wherein 11they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, 12speaking evil of you:
Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge 13the quicke and the dead.
Forf for this cause was 14the gospel preached also to them that are 15dead, that they might be 16judged 17according to men 18in the flesh, but 19live 20according to God 21in the spirit.
Butg the end of 22all things is at hand: beh ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: fori charity 23shall cover the multitude of sins.
Usej hospitality one to another 24withoutk grudging.
25As everyl man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Ifm any man 26speak, let him speak 27as the oracles of God; if any man 28minister, let him do it 29as 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.
Beloved, 30thinkn it not strange concerning 31the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
32But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers 33of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Ifo ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for 34the spirit of glory and 35of God resteth upon you: on 36their part 37he is evil spoken of, but on your part 38he is glorified.
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as 39an evildoer, or as 40a busybody in other men's matters.
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, 41let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Forp the time is come that 42judgment must begin 43at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, 44whatq shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Andr if the righteous 45scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the 46sinner 47appear?
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.