| Chapter
4 |
| 1 |
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves
likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased
from sin; |
| 2 | That he no
longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but
to the will of God. |
| 3 | For
the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the
Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings,
banquetings, and abominable idolatries: |
| 4 | Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them
to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: |
|
5 | Who shall give account to him that is ready to
judge the quick and the dead. |
| 6
| For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead,
that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to
God in the spirit. |
| 7 | But
the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto
prayer. |
| 8 | And above all
things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the
multitude of sins. |
| 9 | Use
hospitality one to another without grudging. |
| 10 | As every man hath received the gift, even so minister
the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. |
| 11 | If any man speak, let him
speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as 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. |
| 12 | Beloved, think it not strange
concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing
happened unto you: |
| 13 |
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when
his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. |
| 14 | If ye be reproached for the
name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon
you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. |
| 15 | But let none of you
suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in
other men's matters. |
| 16 |
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him
glorify God on this behalf. |
| 17
| For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and
if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel
of God? |
| 18 | And if the
righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? |
| 19 | 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. |
