Good Stewards of God's Grace

41 Christ, then, having suffered for us in [the] flesh, do ye also arm yourselves with the same mind; for he that has suffered in [the] flesh has done with sin, 2 no longer to live the rest of [his] time in [the] flesh to men's lusts, but to God's will. 3 For the time past [is] sufficient [for us] to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, walking in lasciviousness, lusts, wine-drinking, revels, drinkings, and unhallowed idolatries.

4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with [them] to the same sink of corruption, speaking injuriously [of you]; 5 who shall render account to him who is ready to judge [the] living and [the] dead. 6 For to this [end] were the glad tidings preached to [the] dead also, that they might be judged, as regards men, after [the] flesh, but live, as regards God, after [the] Spirit.

7 But the end of all things is drawn nigh: be sober therefore, and be watchful unto prayers; 8 but before all things having fervent love among yourselves, because love covers a multitude of sins; 9 hospitable one to another, without murmuring; 10 each according as he has received a gift, ministering it to one another, as good stewards of [the] various grace of God. 11 If any one speak—as oracles of God; if any one minister—as of strength which God supplies; that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory and the might for the ages of ages. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian

12 Beloved, take not [as] strange the fire [of persecution] which has taken place amongst you for [your] trial, as if a strange thing was happening to you; 13 but as ye have share in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, that in the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exultation. 14 If ye are reproached in [the] name of Christ, blessed [are ye]; for the [Spirit] of glory and the Spirit of God rests upon you: [on their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.] 15 Let none of you suffer indeed as murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or as overseer of other people's matters; 16 but if as a christian, let him not be ashamed, but glorify God in this name. 17 For the time of having the judgment begin from the house of God [is come]; but if first from us, what [shall be] the end of those who obey not the glad tidings of God? 18 And if the righteous is difficultly saved, where shall the impious and [the] sinner appear? 19 Wherefore also let them who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing to a faithful Creator.

The Behavior of Wives and Husbands

31 Likewise, wives, [be] subject to your own husbands, that, even if any are disobedient to the word, they may be gained without [the] word by the conversation of the wives, 2 having witnessed your pure conversation [carried out] in fear; 3 whose adorning let it not be that outward one of tressing of hair, and wearing gold, or putting on apparel; 4 but the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible [ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price. 5 For thus also the holy women who have hoped in God heretofore adorned themselves, being subject to their own husbands; 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose children ye have become, doing good, and not fearing with any kind of consternation. 7 [Ye] husbands likewise, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, as with a weaker, [even] the female, vessel, giving [them] honour, as also fellow-heirs of [the] grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered.

Suffer for Righteousness' Sake

8 Finally, [be] all of one mind, sympathising, full of brotherly love, tender hearted, humble minded; 9 not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but on the contrary, blessing [others], because ye have been called to this, that ye should inherit blessing. 10 For he that will love life and see good days, let him cause his tongue to cease from evil and his lips that they speak no guile. 11 And let him avoid evil, and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it; 12 because [the] eyes of [the] Lord [are] on [the] righteous, and his ears towards their supplications; but [the] face of [the] Lord [is] against them that do evil. 13 And who shall injure you if ye have become imitators of that which [is] good? 14 But if also ye should suffer for righteousness' sake, blessed [are ye]; but be not afraid of their fear, neither be troubled; 15 but sanctify [the] Lord the Christ in your hearts, and [be] always prepared to [give] an answer [to] every one that asks you to give an account of the hope that [is] in you, but with meekness and fear;

16 having a good conscience, that [as to that] in which they speak against you as evildoers, they may be ashamed who calumniate your good conversation in Christ. 17 For [it is] better, if the will of God should will it, to suffer [as] well-doers than [as] evildoers;

18 for Christ indeed has once suffered for sins, [the] just for [the] unjust, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in flesh, but made alive in [the] Spirit, 19 in which also going he preached to the spirits [which are] in prison, 20 heretofore disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in [the] days of Noah while the ark was preparing, into which few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water:

21 which figure also now saves you, [even] baptism, not a putting away of [the] filth of flesh, but [the] demand as before God of a good conscience, by [the] resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who is at [the] right hand of God, gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being subjected to him.