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

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has 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 you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for 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 we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, 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.

They think it is strange that you don’t run with them into the same excess of riot, blaspheming:

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

who will give account to him who is ready to judge the living 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 to this end the Good News was preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed as men in the flesh, but live as 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 near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.

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

And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.

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

Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

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

As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.

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 anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever 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, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to 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 because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice 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 you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, 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.

For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler 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.

But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.

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 has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don’t obey the Good News 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?

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?”

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.

Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.