The Daily Audio Bible

⁷ And^[a] the end of all things has drawn-near.

So Be Sober In Prayer, Loving One Another, And Good Stewards of God’s Gifts To You

Therefore be sound-minded and be sober in^[b] your prayers— ⁸ above all, having fervent love for each other, because love covers a multitude of sins; ⁹ being hospitable to one another without grumbling; ¹⁰ as each received a grace-gift, ministering it to each other as good stewards^[c] of the diversified grace of God— ¹¹ if anyone speaks, as speaking oracles^[d] of God; if anyone serves, as serving by strength which God supplies— in order that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ, to Whom is the glory and the dominion forever and ever, amen.

Beloved, Be Rejoicing To Share In The Sufferings of Christ

¹² Beloved, do not be thinking-strange the fiery^[e] suffering among you coming upon you for a trial^[f], as-though a strange thing were happening to you, ¹³ but be rejoicing to-the-degree you are sharing in the sufferings of Christ, in order that you may also rejoice while being overjoyed at the revelation of His glory! ¹⁴ If you are being reproached^[g] in^[h] the name of Christ, you are blessed^[i] ones!— because the Spirit of glory and of God is resting upon you. ¹⁵ For let none of you be suffering as a murderer or thief or evil-doer, or as a meddler^[j]. ¹⁶ But if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him be glorifying God in this name. ¹⁷ Because it is time that the judgment begin from the household^[k] of God. But if it begins first from us, what will be the outcome of the ones disobeying the good-news of God? ¹⁸ “And if the righteous one is saved with-difficulty, where will the ungodly and sinner appear^[l]?” [Prov 11:31].

Entrust Your Souls To God While Doing Good

¹⁹ So then, let indeed the ones suffering according to the will of God be entrusting their souls in good-doing to a faithful Creator.

So Elders, Lead By Example

5 Therefore^[m] I exhort the elders among you, I the fellow-elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, the sharer^[n] also of the glory going-to be revealed: ² Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising-oversight— not by-compulsion^[o], but willingly^[p], according to God; nor greedily, but eagerly; ³ nor as lording-over^[q] your lots^[r], but being patterns for the flock. ⁴ And the Chief-shepherd having appeared, you will receive the unfading crown of ^[s] glory.

Young Men, Follow

⁵ Likewise, younger men— be subject to the^[t] elders.

Everyone, Be Humble And Keep Watch For The Adversary

And everyone— clothe-yourselves-with humblemindedness toward one another. Because “God opposes the proud, but He gives grace to the humble” [Prov 3:34]. ⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God in order that He may exalt you at the proper-time, ⁷ having cast all your anxiety^[u] upon Him, because He is concerned^[v] about you. ⁸ Be sober, keep-watch. Your adversary the devil is walking-around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour— ⁹ whom resist, firm in the^[w] faith, knowing that the same kinds of sufferings are being accomplished^[x] by your brotherhood in the world.

And The God of All Grace Will Establish You After Your Sufferings

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, the One having called you into His eternal glory in Christ Jesus— you having suffered a little— will Himself restore, support, strengthen, establish you. ¹¹ To Him be the dominion forever, amen.

¹² I wrote to you through Silvanus, the faithful brother, as I count him, with a few words exhorting and bearing-witness that this^[y] is the true grace of God— in which, stand [firm]. ¹³ She in Babylon^[z] chosen-with you greets you. Also Mark, my son. ¹⁴ Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you, to all the ones in Christ.