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1 Since, then, Christ has suffered in the flesh, you also must arm yourselves with a determination to do the same--because he who has suffered in the flesh has done with sin-- 2 that in future you may spend the rest of your earthly lives, governed not by human passions, but by the will of God. 3 For you have given time enough in the past to the doing of the things which the Gentiles delight in-- pursuing, as you did, a course of habitual licence, debauchery, hard drinking, noisy revelry, drunkenness and unholy image-worship. 4 At this they are astonished--that you do not run into the same excess of profligacy as they do; and they speak abusively of you. 5 But they will have to give account to Him who stands ready to pronounce judgement on the living and the dead. 6 For it is with this end in view that the Good News was proclaimed even to some who were dead, that they may be judged, as all mankind will be judged, in the body, but may be living a godly life in the spirit. 7 But the end of all things is now close at hand: therefore be sober-minded and temperate, so that you may give yourselves to prayer. 8 Above all continue to love one another fervently, for love throws a veil over a multitude of faults. 9 Extend ungrudging hospitality towards one another. 10 Whatever be the gifts which each has received, you must use them for one another's benefit, as good stewards of God's many-sided kindness. 11 If any one preaches, let it be as uttering God's truth; if any one renders a service to others, let it be in the strength which God supplies; so that in everything glory may be given to God in the name of Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the might to the Ages of the Ages. Amen. 1 Peter 4:1-11, Weymouth New Testament. Public domain.
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