Living for God

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body,^(A) arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.^{(B) 2} As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires,^(C) but rather for the will of God. ³ For you have spent enough time in the past^(D) doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.^{(E) 4} They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.^{(F) 5} But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.^{(G) 6} For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead,^(H) 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.^(I) Therefore be alert and of sober mind^(J) so that you may pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply,^(K) because love covers over a multitude of sins.^{(L) 9} Offer hospitality^(M) to one another without grumbling.^{(N) 10} Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,^(O) as faithful^(P) 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.^(Q) If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides,^(R) so that in all things God may be praised^(S) through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.^(T)

Suffering for Being a Christian

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you^(U) to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice^(V) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,^(W) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.^{(X) 14} If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,^(Y) you are blessed,^(Z) 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.^{(AA) 17} For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household;^(AB) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?^{(AC) 18} And,

¹⁹ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will^(AE) should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

To the Elders and the Flock

5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder^(AF) and a witness^(AG) of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:^{(AH) 2} Be shepherds of God’s flock^(AI) that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;^(AJ) not pursuing dishonest gain,^(AK) but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over^(AL) those entrusted to you, but being examples^(AM) to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd^(AN) appears, you will receive the crown of glory^(AO) that will never fade away.^(AP)

⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves^(AQ) to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility^(AR) toward one another, because,

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.^{(AT) 7} Cast all your anxiety on him^(AU) because he cares for you.^(AV)

⁸ Be alert and of sober mind.^(AW) Your enemy the devil prowls around^(AX) like a roaring lion^(AY) looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him,^(AZ) standing firm in the faith,^(BA) because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.^(BB)

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you^(BC) to his eternal glory^(BD) in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,^(BE) will himself restore you and make you strong,^(BF) firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.^(BG)

Final Greetings

¹² With the help of Silas,^[c](BH) whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly,^(BI) encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.^(BJ)

¹³ She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.^{(BK) 14} Greet one another with a kiss of love.^(BL)

Peace^(BM) to all of you who are in Christ.

1 Simon Peter, a servant^(BN) and apostle of Jesus Christ,^(BO)

To those who through the righteousness^(BP) of our God and Savior Jesus Christ^(BQ) have received a faith as precious as ours:

² Grace and peace be yours in abundance^(BR) through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.^(BS)

Confirming One’s Calling and Election

³ His divine power^(BT) has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him^(BU) who called us^(BV) by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises,^(BW) so that through them you may participate in the divine nature,^(BX) having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.^(BY)

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;^{(BZ) 6} and to knowledge, self-control;^(CA) and to self-control, perseverance;^(CB) and to perseverance, godliness;^{(CC) 7} and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.^{(CD) 8} For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive^(CE) in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(CF) 9} But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind,^(CG) forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.^(CH)

¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers and sisters,^[d] make every effort to confirm your calling^(CI) and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,^{(CJ) 11} and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom^(CK) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.^(CL)

Prophecy of Scripture

¹² So I will always remind you of these things,^(CM) even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth^(CN) you now have. ¹³ I think it is right to refresh your memory^(CO) as long as I live in the tent of this body,^{(CP) 14} because I know that I will soon put it aside,^(CQ) as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.^{(CR) 15} And I will make every effort to see that after my departure^(CS) you will always be able to remember these things.

¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power,^(CT) but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.^{(CU) 17} He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”^{[e](CV) 18} We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.^(CW)

¹⁹ We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable,^(CX) and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light^(CY) shining in a dark place, until the day dawns^(CZ) and the morning star^(DA) rises in your hearts.^{(DB) 20} Above all, you must understand^(DC) that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. ²¹ For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God^(DD) as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.^(DE)