Bible Reading Plan

Chapter 4

Living for God

¹ Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body,^(a) arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.^{(b) 2} As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires,^(c) but rather for the will of God. ³ For you have spent enough time in the past^(d) doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.^{(e) 4} They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.^{(f) 5} But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.^{(g) 6} For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead,^(h) so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

⁷ The end of all things is near.⁽ⁱ⁾ Therefore be alert and of sober mind^(j) so that you may pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply,^(k) because love covers over a multitude of sins.^{(l) 9} Offer hospitality^(m) to one another without grumbling.^{(n) 10} Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,^(o) as faithful^(p) stewards of God's grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.^(q) If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides,^(r) so that in all things God may be praised^(s) through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.^(t)

Suffering for Being a Christian

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you^(u) to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice^(v) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,^(w) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.^{(x) 14} If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,^(y) you are blessed,^(z) for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶ However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.^{(aa) 17} For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household;^(ab) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?^{(ac) 18} And,

¹⁹ So then, those who suffer according to God's will^(ae) should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Chapter 5

To the Elders and the Flock

¹ To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder^(a) and a witness^(b) of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:^{(c) 2} Be shepherds of God's flock^(d) that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;^(e) not pursuing dishonest gain,^(f) but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over^(g) those entrusted to you, but being examples^(h) to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd⁽ⁱ⁾ appears, you will receive the crown of glory^(j) that will never fade away.^(k)

⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves^(l) to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility^(m) toward one another, because,

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.^{(o) 7} Cast all your anxiety on him^(p) because he cares for you.^(q)

⁸ Be alert and of sober mind.^(r) Your enemy the devil prowls around^(s) like a roaring lion^(t) looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him,^(u) standing firm in the faith,^(v) because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.^(w)

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you^(x) to his eternal glory^(y) in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,^(z) will himself restore you and make you strong,^(aa) firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.^(ab)

Final Greetings

¹² With the help of Silas,^[b](ac) whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly,^(ad) encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.^(ae)

¹³ She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.^{(af) 14} Greet one another with a kiss of love.^(ag)

Peace^(ah) to all of you who are in Christ.

Chapter 2

False Teachers and Their Destruction

¹ But there were also false prophets^(a) among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.^(b) They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord^(c) who bought them^(d)—bringing swift destruction on themselves. ² Many will follow their depraved conduct^(e) and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. ³ In their greed^(f) these teachers will exploit you^(g) with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

⁴ For if God did not spare angels when they sinned,^(h) but sent them to hell,^[a] putting them in chains of darkness^[b] to be held for judgment;^{(i) 5} if he did not spare the ancient world^(j) when he brought the flood on its ungodly people,^(k) but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;^{(l) 6} if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes,^(m) and made them an example⁽ⁿ⁾ of what is going to happen to the ungodly;^{(o) 7} and if he rescued Lot,^(p) a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless^{(q) 8} (for that righteous man,^(r) living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— ⁹ if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials^(s) and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.^{(t) 10} This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire^(u) of the flesh^[c] and despise authority.

Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings;^{(v) 11} yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from^[d] the Lord.^{(w) 12} But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.^(x)

¹³ They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight.^(y) They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.^{[e](z) 14} With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce^(aa) the unstable;^(ab) they are experts in greed^(ac)—an accursed brood!^{(ad) 15} They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam^(ae) son of Bezer,^[f] who loved the wages of wickedness. ¹⁶ But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—an animal without speech—who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.^(af)

¹⁷ These people are springs without water^(ag) and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.^{(ah) 18} For they mouth empty, boastful words^(ai) and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping^(aj) from those who live in error. ¹⁹ They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for "people are slaves to whatever has mastered them."^{(ak) 20} If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing^(al) our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ^(am) and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.^{(an) 21} It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.^{(ao) 22} Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit,"^[g](ap) and, "A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud."