Dual PanelThe final testing
1SINCE Christ endured bodily suffering, you also must arm yourselves with the same disposition. When anyone has endured bodily suffering he has finished with sin,
2so that for the rest of his days on earth he may live, not to satisfy human appetites, but to do what God wills.
3You have spent time enough in the past doing what pagans like to do. You lived then in licence and debauchery, drunkenness, orgies and carousal, and the forbidden worship of idols.
4Now, when you no longer plunge with the pagans into all this reckless dissipation, they cannot understand it and start abusing you;
5but they will have to give account of themselves to him who is ready to pass judgement on the living and the dead.
6That was why the gospel was preached even to the dead: in order that, although in the body they were condemned to die as everyone dies, yet in the spirit they might live as God lives.
7The end of all things is upon us; therefore to help you to pray you must lead self-controlled and sober lives.
8Above all, maintain the fervour of your love for one another, because love cancels a host of sins.
9Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
10As good stewards of the varied gifts given you by God, let each use the gift he has received in service to others.
11Are you a speaker? Speak as one who utters God's oracles. Do you give service? Give it in the strength which God supplies. In all things let God be glorified through Jesus Christ; to him belong glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.
12DEAR friends, do not be taken aback by the fiery ordeal which has come to test you, as though it were something extraordinary.
13On the contrary, in so far as it gives you a share in Christ's sufferings, you should rejoice; and then when his glory is revealed, your joy will be unbounded.
14If you are reviled for being Christians, count yourselves happy, because the Spirit of God in all his glory rests upon you.
15If you do suffer, it must not be for murder, theft, or any other crime, nor should it be for meddling in other people's business.
16But if anyone suffers as a Christian, he should feel it no disgrace, but confess that name to the honour of God.
17The time has come for the judgement to begin; it is beginning with God's own household. And if it is starting with us, how will it end for those who refuse to obey the gospel of God?
18Scripture says: “It is hard enough for the righteous to be saved; what then will become of the impious and sinful?”
19So let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to him while continuing to do good; their Maker will not fail them.