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1 Peter 4-5
Easy-to-Read Version
1 Peter 4-5
Easy-to-Read Version
Changed Lives
4 Christ suffered while he was in his body. So you should strengthen yourselves with the same kind of thinking Christ had. The one who accepts suffering in this life has clearly decided to stop sinning. 2 Strengthen yourselves so that you will live your lives here on earth doing what God wants, not the evil things that people want to do. 3 In the past you wasted too much time doing what those who don’t know God like to do. You were living immoral lives, doing the evil things you wanted to do. You were always getting drunk, having wild drinking parties, and doing shameful things in your worship of idols.
4 Now those “friends” think it is strange that you no longer join them in all the wild and wasteful things they do. And so they say bad things about you. 5 But they will have to face God to explain what they have done. He is the one who will soon judge everyone—those who are still living and those who have died. 6 Some were told the Good News before they died. They were criticized by others in their life here on earth. But it was God’s plan that they hear the Good News so that they could have a new life through the Spirit.[a]
Be Good Managers of God’s Gifts
7 The time is near when all things will end. So keep your minds clear, and control yourselves. This will help you in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, love each other deeply, because love makes you willing to forgive many sins. 9 Open your homes to each other and share your food without complaining. 10 God has shown you his grace in many different ways. So be good servants and use whatever gift he has given you in a way that will best serve each other. 11 If your gift is speaking, your words should be like words from God. If your gift is serving, you should serve with the strength that God gives. Then it is God who will be praised in everything through Jesus Christ. Power and glory belong to him forever and ever. Amen.
Suffering as a Follower of Christ
12 My friends, don’t be surprised at the painful things that you are now suffering, which are testing your faith. Don’t think that something strange is happening to you. 13 But you should be happy that you are sharing in Christ’s sufferings. You will be happy and full of joy when Christ shows his glory. 14 When people say bad things to you because you follow Christ, consider it a blessing. When that happens, it shows that God’s Spirit, the Spirit of glory, is with you. 15 You may suffer, but don’t let it be because you murder, steal, make trouble, or try to control other people’s lives. 16 But if you suffer because you are a “Christ-follower,” don’t be ashamed. You should praise God for that name. 17 It is time for judging to begin. That judging will begin with God’s family. If it begins with us, then what will happen to those who don’t accept the Good News of God?
18 “If it is hard for even a good person to be saved,
what will happen to the one who is against God and full of sin?” (A)
19 So if God wants you to suffer, you should trust your lives to him. He is the one who made you, and you can trust him. So continue to do good.
The Flock of God
5 Now I have something to say to the elders in your group. I am also an elder. I myself have seen Christ’s sufferings. And I will share in the glory that will be shown to us. I beg you to 2 take care of the group of people you are responsible for. They are God’s flock.[b] Watch over that flock because you want to, not because you are forced to do it. That is how God wants it. Do it because you are happy to serve, not because you want money. 3 Don’t be like a ruler over those you are responsible for. But be good examples to them. 4 Then when Christ the Ruling Shepherd comes, you will get a crown—one that will be glorious and never lose its beauty.
5 Young people, I have something to say to you too. You should accept the authority of the elders. You should all have a humble attitude in dealing with each other.
“God is against the proud,
but he is kind to the humble.” (B)
6 So be humble under God’s powerful hand. Then he will lift you up when the right time comes. 7 Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you.
8 Control yourselves and be careful! The devil is your enemy, and he goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to attack and eat. 9 Refuse to follow the devil. Stand strong in your faith. You know that your brothers and sisters all over the world are having the same sufferings that you have.
10 Yes, you will suffer for a short time. But after that, God will make everything right. He will make you strong. He will support you and keep you from falling. He is the God who gives all grace. He chose you to share in his glory in Christ. That glory will continue forever. 11 All power is his forever. Amen.
Final Greetings
12 Silas will bring this letter to you. I know that he is a faithful brother in Christ. I wrote this short letter to encourage you. I wanted to tell you that this is the true grace of God. Stand strong in that grace.
13 The church in Babylon[c] sends you greetings. They were chosen just as you were. Mark, my son in Christ, also sends his greetings. 14 Give each other a special greeting[d] of love when you meet.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 4:6 through the Spirit Or “in the spirit,” meaning in the spiritual or heavenly realm.
- 1 Peter 5:2 God’s flock God’s people. They are like a flock of sheep that need to be cared for.
- 1 Peter 5:13 The church in Babylon Literally, “She in Babylon.”
- 1 Peter 5:14 special greeting Literally, “kiss.”
1 Peter 4-5
New International Version
1 Peter 4-5
New International Version
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,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a](AD)
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.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 4:18 Prov. 11:31 (see Septuagint)
- 1 Peter 5:5 Prov. 3:34
- 1 Peter 5:12 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas
Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International
New International Version (NIV) 
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