1 S ince Christ has suffered in His body, we must be ready to suffer also. Suffering puts an end to sin.

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 Y ou should no longer spend the rest of your life giving in to the sinful desires of the flesh. But do what God wants as long as you live in this world.

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 I n the past you gave enough of your life over to living like the people who do not know God. You gave your life to sex sins and to sinful desires. You got drunk and went to wild parties and to drinking parties and you worshiped false gods.

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 T hose who do not know God are surprised you do not join them in the sinful things they do. They laugh at you and say bad things against you.

Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

5 R emember, they will give an answer to Him Who judges all who are living or dead.

Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

6 F or this reason, the Good News was preached to the dead. They stood in the flesh before the One Who judges so they might live in the Spirit as God wants. Love Each Other

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 T he end of the world is near. You must be the boss over your mind. Keep awake so you can pray.

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

8 M ost of all, have a true love for each other. Love covers many sins.

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

9 B e happy to have people stay for the night and eat with you.

Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

10 G od has given each of you a gift. Use it to help each other. This will show God’s loving-favor.

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 I f a man preaches, let him do it with God speaking through him. If a man helps others, let him do it with the strength God gives. So in all things God may be honored through Jesus Christ. Shining-greatness and power belong to Him forever. Let it be so. Stay True During Suffering

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 D ear friends, your faith is going to be tested as if it were going through fire. Do not be surprised at this.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

13 B e happy that you are able to share some of the suffering of Christ. When His shining-greatness is shown, you will be filled with much joy.

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 I f men speak bad of you because you are a Christian, you will be happy because the Spirit of shining-greatness and of God is in you.

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 N one of you should suffer as one who kills another person or as one who steals or as one who makes trouble or as one who tries to be the boss of other peoples’ lives.

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 B ut if a man suffers as a Christian, he should not be ashamed. He should thank God that he is a Christian.

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

17 T he time has come for Christians to stand before God and He will judge. If this happens to us, what will happen to those who do not obey the Good News of God?

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 I f it is hard for a man who is right with God to be saved, what will happen to the sinner?

And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 S o if God wants you to suffer, give yourself to Him. He will do what is right for you. He made you and He is faithful.

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.