r your good conduct in Christ. [3:17]For it is better to suffer
doing good, if the will of God allows, than doing evil. [3:18]For
Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he
might lead us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in
the spirit, [3:19] in which also he went and preached to the spirits in
prison, [3:20]who were formerly disobedient when the long suffering of
God waited in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared, in
which a few, that is eight souls, were saved by water. [3:21]The
archetype of which, baptism, also now saves us, not the putting away of
the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience in God,
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, [3:22]who is on the right
hand of God, having gone to heaven, angels and authorities and powers
being made subject to him.

7 [4:1]Christ therefore having suffered for us in the flesh, arm
yourselves also with the same mind, for he that has suffered in the
flesh has ceased from sin, [4:2]that you may no longer live the rest of
your time in the flesh according to the desires of men, but according
to the will of God. [4:3]For the time past is sufficient for us to have
performed the will of the gentiles, walking in lewdness, inordinate
desires, drunkenness, revellings, drinkings and unlawful idolatries,
[4:4]in which they think it strange that you run not with them to the
same excessive intemperance, blaspheming, [4:5]who shall give an
account to him that is ready to judge the living and dead. [4:6]And for
this cause was the gospel preached also to the dead, that they might be
judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the
Spirit.

8 [4:7]But the end of all things is at hand. Be sober therefore, and
watch in prayers; [4:8]above all things have fervent love one for
another, for love hides a multitude of sins. [4:9]Be hospitable one to
another, without complaining; [4:10]as each has received a gift,
minister the same among yourselves as good stewards of the manifold
grace of God. [4:11]If any one speaks, let him speak as the oracles of
God, if any one serves, let it be as of the strength which God
supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,
whose is the glory and the power for ever and ever; amen.

CHAPTER III.

TRIALS, ADMONITIONS TO PRESBYTERS, ETC.

1 [4:12]BELOVED, think not strange of the fiery trial which is to try
you, as if some strange thin