Study Desk

And who will harm^[h] you if you are deeply committed to what is good?^[i]

But even if you should suffer for righteousness,^(y) you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear ^(z) or be disturbed, ^(aa)[j]

but honor^[k] the Messiah^[l] as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason^[m] for the hope that is in you.^(ab)

However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear,^[n][o](ac) so that when you are accused,^[p] those who denounce your Christian life^[q] will be put to shame.

For it is better to suffer^(ad) for doing good, if that should be God's will,^[r] than for doing evil.

For Christ also suffered^(ae) for sins once for all,^[s](af) the righteous for the unrighteous,^[t] that He might bring you^[u] to God,^(ag) after being put to death in the fleshly realm^[v](ah) but made alive in the spiritual realm.^[w]

In that state^[x] He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits^(ai) in prison^[y]

who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah^(aj) while an ark was being prepared. In it a few—that is, eight people^[z](ak)—were saved through water.

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not the removal of the filth of the flesh,^(al) but the pledge^[aa] of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.^(am)

Now that He has gone into heaven,^(an) He is at God's right hand^(ao) with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.^(ap)

Therefore, since Christ suffered^[a] in the flesh,^[b] equip^[c] yourselves also with the same resolve^[d]—because the one who suffered in the flesh has finished^(a) with sin^[e]—

in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires,^[f] but for God's will.^(b)

For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the pagans choose to do:^[g] carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires,^(c) drunkenness, orgies,^(d) carousing, and lawless idolatry.

So they are surprised that you don't plunge with them into the same flood^[h] of wild living—and they slander you.

They will give an account to the One who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.^(e)

For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead,^(f) so that, although they might be judged by men in the fleshly^(g) realm,^[i] they might live^(h) by God in the spiritual realm.^[j]

Now the end of all things is near;⁽ⁱ⁾ therefore, be serious and disciplined^(j) for prayer.

Above all, maintain an intense love^(k) for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins. ^(l)[k]

Be hospitable^(m) to one another without complaining.

Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others,⁽ⁿ⁾ as good managers of the varied grace of God.

If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God's words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides,^(o) so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Dear friends, don't be surprised when the fiery ordeal^[l] comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.^(p)

Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah,^(q) so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation^(r) of His glory.

If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ,^(s) you are blessed, because the Spirit^(t) of glory and of God rests on you.^[m]

None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.^[n]

But if anyone suffers as a "Christian," he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name.

For the time has come for judgment^(u) to begin with God's household,^(v) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?

And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? ^(w)[o]

So those who suffer according to God's will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves^(x) to a faithful Creator.

Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness^(a) to the sufferings of the Messiah and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed,^(b) I exhort the elders among you:

Shepherd God's flock among you,^(c) not overseeing^[a] out of compulsion but freely, according to God's will;^[b] not for the money but eagerly;

not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

And when the chief Shepherd^(d) appears, you will receive the unfading crown^(e) of glory.

In the same way, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with^[c] humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. ^(f)[d]

Humble^(g) yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand^(h) of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,^[e]

casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.⁽ⁱ⁾

Be serious!^(j) Be alert!^(k) Your adversary the Devil^(l) is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

Resist him^(m) and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.

Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory⁽ⁿ⁾ in Christ Jesus, will personally^[f] restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.^[g]

The dominion^[h] belongs to Him forever.^[i] Amen.

I have written you this brief letter through Silvanus^[j](o) (I know him to be a faithful brother) to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Take your stand in it!

The church in Babylon,^[k](p) also chosen, sends you greetings, as does Mark, my son.

Greet one another with a kiss of love.^(q) Peace^(r) to all of you who are in Christ.^[l]