Gentiles, when
we walked in wantonness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, carousings,
and unhallowed idolatries; (4)at which thing they are astonished, as
ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you;
(5)who shall give account to him who is ready to judge the living and
the dead. (6)For to this end was the good news preached also to those
who are dead, that they might indeed be judged according to men in the
flesh, but may live according to God in the spirit.

(7)But the end of all things is at hand. Be therefore sober, and watch
unto prayer; (8)but above all things having your love toward one
another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins;
(9)hospitable to one another, without grudging; (10)according as each
received a gift, ministering the same to one another, as good stewards
of the manifold grace of God; (11)if any one speaks, as [uttering]
God's oracles; if any one ministers, as of the ability which God
bestows; that God in all things may be glorified, through Jesus
Christ, to whom is the glory and the dominion, forever and ever. Amen.

(12)Beloved, be not astonished at the fiery test taking place among
you to prove you, as though a strange thing were befalling you;
(13)but, in so far as ye share in Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that
also, at the revelation of his glory, ye may rejoice with exceeding
joy. (14)If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye;
because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you; [on their part
he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.][4:14]

(15)For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an
evil-doer, or as a busy-body in other men's matters; (16)but if as a
Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this
name. (17)Because the time is come that judgment should begin from the
house of God; but if it begin first from us, what shall be the end of
those who obey not the gospel of God? (18)And if the righteous is with
difficulty saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

(19)Wherefore let those also, who suffer according to the will of God,
commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as to a
faithful Creator.

V.

THE elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of
the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that
shall be revealed; (2)tend the flock of God which is among you,
overseeing it not by constraint but willingly, not