\NormalFont\ShortTitle{1 PETER}

{\MTB This book is one of the letters that the Apostle Peter wrote to his fellow believers. We call this book

\par }{\MT 1 Peter



\par }\ChapOne{1}{\SH 1 Peter 1:1-2
\par }
{\SH I, Peter, am writing this letter to Jewish believers who have been scattered throughout five provinces in Asia Minor. I wish that God will bless them.
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}I, Peter, who
{\ADD{have been appointed by}} Jesus Christ $\{$one whom Jesus Christ
{\ADD{has appointed}}$\}$ to be an apostle,
{\ADD{am writing this letter}} to you believers whom God has chosen to belong to him.
{\ADD{You are living}} in
{\ADD{the Roman provinces of}} Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
{\ADD{Just like the Jews who lived in Israel long ago were}} scattered
{\ADD{to other countries far from their homes}} [MET], you now live
{\ADD{far from}} heaven, which is
{\ADD{your true home}}.

\VS{2}God our Father previously chose you, and his Spirit has set you apart in order that you would obey Jesus Christ. He did that in order that
{\ADD{just like Moses}} sprinkled
{\ADD{the Israelites with blood when God established the old covenant}} [MET],
{\ADD{Jesus would establish his new covenant with you}} with the blood
{\ADD{that flowed from his body when he died}}. May God act very kindly to you, and may he give you much
{\ADD{inner}} peace.


\par }{\SH God has done great things for you. Although you are now enduring trials to test your faith, you are rejoicing about your salvation. That salvation is something that the prophets who lived long ago did not fully understand.
\par }
{\SR 1 Peter 1:3-12

\par }{\PP \VS{3}Praise God, who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because he has been very merciful to
{\ADD{us, he has given us new life}} [MET]. Because he has caused Jesus Christ to become alive again after he died, he has enabled us to live very confidently; that is, to fully expect to receive the things
{\ADD{that God/he has promised to give us}}.

\VS{4}He has enabled us to expect to receive an absolutely imperishable/indestructible [TRI] inheritance that has been $\{$that
{\ADD{God}} has$\}$ preserved in heaven for us.

\VS{5}God, by his mighty power, is guarding you as you trust in Jesus.
{\ADD{He is keeping you safe so}} that he may, at the end of the time in which we now live (OR, when Jesus returns), completely deliver you
{\ADD{from Satan’s power}}.

\VS{6}You rejoice because of what will happen then, but now you are grieving for a short time while
{\ADD{God is allowing}} you to be tested $\{${\ADD{various things to}} test you [MET]$\}$,
{\ADD{as precious metals are tested}} $\{${\ADD{someone tests precious metals}}$\}$
{\ADD{to see if they are pure}}.
{\ADD{These trials that you are experiencing are necessary}}

\VS{7}to prove that you really do trust in Jesus. His proving that will be more valuable than gold,
{\ADD{which does not last forever even}} though it is purified
{\ADD{by being put}} $\{$someone tries to make it pure by
{\ADD{putting it}}$\}$
{\ADD{in a hot}} fire. As a result of your passing the test
{\ADD{and proving that you really do trust in Jesus}}, God will honor you very highly [TRI] when Jesus Christ comes again.

\VS{8}You love
{\ADD{Jesus}}, although you have not seen him. Although you do not see him now, you rejoice very much [DOU]

\VS{9}because you are experiencing the result of your believing in him; that is,
{\ADD{God}} is saving you [SYN]
{\ADD{from the guilt of your sins}}.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}As for those who
{\ADD{long ago}} spoke messages that God had revealed to them about how God would act kindly toward you in ways which you did not deserve, they ◄investigated very carefully/tried very hard to learn► [DOU] about how God would save you.

\VS{11}They wanted to know whom the Spirit of Christ that was in them was referring to, and what time he was talking about, when he told beforehand that the Messiah would suffer
{\ADD{and die}}, and that glorious/wonderful things would happen
{\ADD{to him and to us}} afterwards.

\VS{12}It was revealed to $\{${\ADD{God}} told$\}$ them that it was not for their own sake that he was revealing these things to them, but that it was for your sake. It was these things that were proclaimed to you by those who told you the message
{\ADD{about Christ $\{$that those who told you the message about Christ proclaimed to you}}$\}$. They proclaimed these things to you because the Holy Spirit whom
{\ADD{God}} sent from heaven
{\ADD{enabled them to do that}}. And even angels would like to know more about these
{\ADD{truths about how God saves us}}.


\par }{\SH You must live holy and reverent lives and love each other, because Christ has bought you and given you a new life.
\par }
{\SR 1 Peter 1:13-25

\par }{\PP \VS{13}Therefore,
{\ADD{prepare your minds}} [MET]
{\ADD{as people}} fasten their belts around their waists
{\ADD{to prepare to work}}.
{\ADD{What I mean is that}} you should ◄discipline your minds/control what you think about►, and by doing that conduct your lives fully and confidently expecting to receive the good things that
{\ADD{God will}} kindly
{\ADD{do for you}} when Jesus Christ returns
{\ADD{from heaven}}.

\VS{14}{\ADD{And because you should obey your heavenly Father}} [SIM], as children
{\ADD{ought to}} obey their fathers
{\ADD{here on earth}}, do not do the evil things that you used to desire to do when you did not know
{\ADD{God’s truth}}.

\VS{15}Instead, just like God, the one who chose you
{\ADD{to belong to him}}, is ◄holy/separate from evil►, you also must be ◄holy/separate from evil► in everything that you do,

\VS{16}because it is $\{${\ADD{someone/Moses}} has$\}$ written
{\ADD{in the Scriptures that God said}}, “You must be ◄holy/separate from evil► because I am ◄holy/separate from evil►.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}God is the one who ◄impartially/without favoritism► judges what each person does. Since you call him ‘Father’, live ◄reverently/with great respect for him► during the time that you are living here on earth.
{\ADD{While you are living here, you are}} like exiles/foreigners [MET]
{\ADD{because you are away from heaven, which is your true home}}.

\VS{18}{\ADD{Live reverently}} because you know that it was not with things that will not last forever, things like gold and silver, that
{\ADD{God}} bought you to free you from your useless life-style that you learned from your ancestors.

\VS{19}Instead,
{\ADD{it was}} with the precious blood of Christ
{\ADD{that flowed from his body when he died that God bought you. Christ’s death was a perfect sacrifice for us}} [MET],
{\ADD{like}} the lambs that
{\ADD{the Jewish priests sacrificed were}} perfect, without any blemishes/defects/flaws or spots [DOU].

\VS{20}Christ was chosen
{\ADD{by God}} $\{${\ADD{God}} chose Christ$\}$ before the world was created $\{${\ADD{he}} created the world$\}$. But it was not until now, when the time
{\ADD{in which we are living will soon}} end, that he was revealed for your sake.

\VS{21}Because of what Christ has done, you are trusting in God, who caused Christ to become alive again after he died, and greatly honored him. As a result, God is the one in whom you are trusting and confidently expecting
{\ADD{that he will do great things for you}}.


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Because you have been made pure by obeying the truth, with the result that you sincerely love your fellow believers, continue to love each other earnestly and sincerely/wholeheartedly.

\VS{23}{\ADD{I ask you to do this, because you now have}} a new life [MET]. It was not
{\ADD{by means of}} something that will perish that you received this new life. Instead, it was
{\ADD{by means of}} something that will last forever; that is, by believing the life-giving and enduring message of God.

\VS{24}{\ADD{We know that this is true}} because,
{\ADD{as the prophet Isaiah wrote}},

\par }{\Q All people
{\ADD{will die}} [SIM], like grass
{\ADD{dies}}. And all the greatness/honor that people have
{\ADD{will not last forever}},

\par }{\Q like the flowers [SIM]
{\ADD{that grow up}} in the grass
{\ADD{do not last long}}.

\par }{\Q The grass withers and the flowers die,


\par }{\Q \VS{25}but God’s message endures/lasts forever.

\par }{\Q This message
{\ADD{that endures/lasts}} is the message
{\ADD{about Christ}} that was proclaimed to you.




\par }\Chap{2}{\SH Do not act maliciously or be hypocrites. God is joining you together into a holy group in which his Spirit lives, to do things that are pleasing to him.
\par }
{\SR 1 Peter 2:1-10

\par }{\PP \VerseOne{1}Therefore, do not act maliciously in any way or deceive others. Do not ◄be a hypocrite/try to make others think that you have qualities that you do not really have►, and do not ◄envy/be jealous of► others. Do not ever slander anyone.

\VS{2}Just like newborn babies
{\ADD{long for their mothers’}} pure milk [MET], you should long for
{\ADD{God’s}} spiritual
{\ADD{truth}}, so that by learning it you may become
{\ADD{spiritually}} mature.
{\ADD{You need to}} do this until the day when God
{\ADD{will}} free you completely
{\ADD{from all the evil in this world}}.

\VS{3}{\ADD{Also, you need to do this}} because you have experienced that the Lord
{\ADD{acts in}} a good way toward you.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}You have come to the Lord Jesus. He is
{\ADD{like an important}} stone [MET]
{\ADD{put in the foundation of a building}},
{\ADD{but he is}} alive,
{\ADD{not lifeless like a stone}}. He was rejected by
{\ADD{many}} people $\{${\ADD{Many}} people rejected him$\}$, but God chose him and
{\ADD{considers him}} to be very precious.

\VS{5}{\ADD{And like men}} build houses with stones [MET],
{\ADD{God}} is causing you to be joined together into a group in which
{\ADD{God’s}} Spirit
{\ADD{lives}}, in order that you, because of what Jesus Christ did for us, might, like priests who offer sacrifices,
{\ADD{do things}} that are pleasing to God.

\VS{6}{\ADD{What Isaiah wrote}} in the Scriptures
{\ADD{shows us that this is true}}.
{\ADD{He wrote these words that God said}}:

\par }{\Q Note this well: I am placing in Jerusalem [MTY]
{\ADD{one who is like}} [MET] an extremely valuable [DOU] ◄stone/cornerstone, the most important stone in the structure of a building►, and those who believe in him will never be disappointed.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Therefore,
{\ADD{God will}} honor you who believe in
{\ADD{Jesus}}. But those who
{\ADD{refuse to}} believe in him
{\ADD{are like the builders}} that this Scripture
{\ADD{talks about}}:

\par }{\Q The stone that the builders rejected has become ◄the cornerstone/the most important stone in the foundation of the building►.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}And
{\ADD{it is also written}} $\{${\ADD{Isaiah wrote}}$\}$ in the Scriptures:

\par }{\Q {\ADD{He will be like}} a stone that causes people to stumble,

\par }{\Q like a rock that people trip over.

\par }{\PP {\ADD{Just as people are injured when}} they stumble over a rock,

\par }{\Q people who disobey the message
{\ADD{about Jesus are injured spiritually}},

\par }{\Q and that is what
{\ADD{God}} determined would happen to them.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}But you are people whom God has chosen
{\ADD{to belong to him}}. You are
{\ADD{a group that represents God like}} priests do, and you rule with God [MET] like kings. You are ◄a holy group of people/a group of people who are separate from evil►. You are people who belong to God. This is in order that you might proclaim the virtues of
{\ADD{God. He has}} called you from
{\ADD{your former ways}},
{\ADD{when you were ignorant of his truth}}, into the marvelous
{\ADD{understanding that he gives us}} [MET].
{\ADD{That is, he has called you}} out of
{\ADD{spiritual}} darkness into
{\ADD{spiritual}} light.

\VS{10}{\ADD{What the prophet Hosea wrote is true of you}}

\par }{\Q Formerly, you were not a people
{\ADD{who had a relationship with God}},

\par }{\Q But now you are God’s people.

\par }{\Q At one time
{\ADD{God}} had not acted mercifully toward you,

\par }{\Q But now he has acted mercifully toward you.


\par }{\SH Avoid obeying your self-directed natures. Conduct your lives in a good way among unbelievers.
\par }
{\SR 1 Peter 2:11-12

\par }{\PP \VS{11}You people whom I love, I urge you to consider that you are like foreigners [MET, DOU]
{\ADD{whose real home is in heaven}}. As a result, avoid doing the things that your self-directed nature desires, because those desires ◄fight against/always oppose► your souls.

\VS{12}Keep conducting your lives in a good way among those who do not know God.
{\ADD{If you do that}}, although they may accuse you, saying that you are people who do evil things, they will see your good behavior, and at the time when God comes
{\ADD{to judge people}}, they will ◄give honor to him/say that what he does is right►.


\par }{\SH Submit yourselves to human authorities, and act as servants of God should.
\par }
{\SR 1 Peter 2:13-17

\par }{\PP \VS{13}For the sake of the Lord
{\ADD{Jesus}}, submit yourselves to every human authority. That includes submitting yourselves to the king, who is the most important authority,

\VS{14}and to governors, who are sent by the king $\{$whom the king sends$\}$ to punish those who do what is wrong and to commend/honor those who do what is right.

\VS{15}What God wants is that by your doing
{\ADD{only}} what is good you will cause foolish people who do not know
{\ADD{God}} to be unable to say things ◄{\ADD{to condemn you/to show you why you should be punished}}►.

\VS{16}Conduct your lives as though you were free
{\ADD{from having to obey authorities}}, but do not think “Because I am free from having to obey authorities, I can do evil things.” Instead, act as servants of God
{\ADD{should}}.

\VS{17}Act respectfully toward everyone. Love all your fellow believers. Revere God, and honor the king.


\par }{\SH You slaves must submit yourselves to your masters, even if they mistreat you. Imitate Christ in the way in which he suffered unjustly.
\par }
{\SR 1 Peter 2:18-25

\par }{\PP \VS{18}You slaves
{\ADD{who are believers}}, submit yourselves to your masters and completely respect them. Submit yourselves not only to those who
{\ADD{act in a}} good and kind [DOU] way towards you, but also submit yourselves to those who
{\ADD{act in a}} harsh way
{\ADD{towards you}}.

\VS{19}You should do that because God is pleased with those who, knowing that he is aware of what is happening to them, endure the pain that they suffer
{\ADD{because of being treated unjustly by their masters}} $\{${\ADD{their masters have treated them unjustly}}$\}$.

\VS{20}God will certainly not [RHQ] be pleased with you if you do something that is wrong and as a result you are beaten $\{$someone beats you$\}$! But if, instead of doing something that is wrong, you do what is good, and as a result of that, you suffer for doing something that is good, and you endure that suffering, God will ◄commend/be pleased with► you.

\VS{21}One of the reasons why God chose you is that you would
{\ADD{suffer}}. When Christ suffered for you, he became an example for you, in order that you would ◄imitate what/do like► he did.

\VS{22}{\ADD{Remember how Christ conducted himself}}:

\par }{\Q He never sinned,

\par }{\Q And he never said [MTY] anything to deceive people.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}When people insulted him, he did not insult them in return.

\par }{\Q When people caused him to suffer, he did not threaten ◄to get revenge/to cause them to suffer►.

\par }{\Q Instead, he decided to let God, who always judges justly, prove that he ◄was innocent/had done nothing that is wrong► (OR, he left his case in the hands of God, who always judges justly).


\par }{\Q \VS{24}He himself endured physically the punishment for our sins when he died on the cross,

\par }{\Q in order that we would stop sinning (OR, no longer respond to sinful desires) and start living righteous lives.

\par }{\PP It is because he was wounded $\{$they wounded him$\}$ that your
{\ADD{souls have been saved}} [MET]
{\ADD{from being sinful, as people’s bodies}} are healed
{\ADD{from being sick}}.

\VS{25}Truly you were like sheep that had gone astray [SIM], but now you have returned to
{\ADD{Jesus}}, who cares for your souls
{\ADD{as}} a shepherd
{\ADD{cares for his sheep}} [MET].




\par }\Chap{3}{\SH You women should submit yourselves to your husbands, even if they are not believers, and make your inner beings/hearts beautiful with qualities that will not fade away.
\par }
{\SR 1 Peter 3:1-6

\par }{\PP \VerseOne{1}You women
{\ADD{believers}}, just like
{\ADD{slaves should submit themselves to their masters}}, submit yourselves to your husbands. Do that in order that if any of them do not believe the message
{\ADD{about Christ}}, they may become believers without
{\ADD{it being necessary for}} you to say anything to them
{\ADD{about their relationship to God}}.

\VS{2}{\ADD{They will believe in Christ}} when they see that you respect them and that your way of life is pure.

\VS{3}Do not be
{\ADD{trying to make}} yourselves beautiful by decorating the outside
{\ADD{of your bodies}}, such as ◄by the way you comb your hair/by your hair
{\ADD{style}}► or by wearing gold jewelry and fine clothes.

\VS{4}Instead, make your ◄inner beings/hearts►
{\ADD{beautiful}} with qualities/attitudes that will not fade away. Specifically, have a humble and quiet/calm attitude, which is something that God considers to be very valuable.

\VS{5}◄The devout women/The women who habitually worshipped God► who lived long ago and who trusted in God made themselves beautiful
{\ADD{by having attitudes}} like that, and by being submissive to their husbands.

\VS{6}Sarah, for example, obeyed
{\ADD{her husband}} Abraham and called him ‘my master’. You will be
{\ADD{as though you are}} [MET] her daughters if you do what is right and are not afraid
{\ADD{of what your husbands or anyone else may do to you because you are believers}}.


\par }{\SH You men must live in an appropriate way with your wives, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
\par }
{\SR 1 Peter 3:7

\par }{\PP \VS{7}You men
{\ADD{who are believers}}, just like your wives should respect you, you should conduct your lives in an appropriate way with them. Treat them respectfully, realizing that they are
{\ADD{usually}} weaker than you are, and realizing that ◄they share with you/both of you have► the gift
{\ADD{that God has kindly given to you, which is eternal}} life. Do this so that nothing will hinder you from praying (OR, hinder
{\ADD{God}} ◄{\ADD{from answering/from doing what you ask for}}► when you pray).


\par }{\SH Agree with each other, love each other, be humble, and bless those who do evil things to you instead of retaliating.
\par }
{\SR 1 Peter 3:8-12

\par }{\PP \VS{8}To end
{\ADD{this part of my letter}},
{\ADD{I say to}} all of you, agree with each other
{\ADD{in what you think}}. Be sympathetic
{\ADD{toward each other}}. Love
{\ADD{each other as}} members of the same family
{\ADD{should}}. Act compassionately
{\ADD{toward each other}}. Be humble.

\VS{9}{\ADD{When people do}} evil things to you or insult you, do not ◄retaliate/repay them by► doing evil things to them or insulting them. Instead,
{\ADD{ask God to}} bless them, because that is what you have been chosen
{\ADD{by God}} $\{$what
{\ADD{God}} called you$\}$ to do, in order that you may receive a blessing
{\ADD{from him}}.

\VS{10}{\ADD{Consider what the Psalmist wrote about the proper way of conducting our lives}},

\par }{\Q As for those who want ◄to enjoy life/to live happily► and experience good
{\ADD{things happening to them every}} day,

\par }{\Q they must not say [MTY] something that is evil or say [MTY] something that deceives others.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}They must continually turn away from
{\ADD{doing}} anything that is evil, and must do things that are good
{\ADD{instead}}.

\par }{\Q They must deeply desire to enable
{\ADD{people to act}} peacefully toward each other;

\par }{\Q they must zealously
{\ADD{urge people to act in a}} peaceful way,


\par }{\Q \VS{12}because the Lord sees [MTY] what righteous people do
{\ADD{and he appreciates/likes what they do}}.

\par }{\Q He listens to righteous people when they pray,
{\ADD{and he answers them}}.

\par }{\Q But he is [MTY] opposed to those who do evil things.


\par }{\SH Do good things to others, even if you suffer for doing it, as Christ did.
\par }
{\SR 1 Peter 3:13-22

\par }{\PP \VS{13}If you ◄are eager/try very hard► to do good things,
{\ADD{most people}} will not harm you. [RHQ]

\VS{14}But even if you suffer because of
{\ADD{doing}} what is right,
{\ADD{God}} will bless you.
{\ADD{Do as Isaiah wrote}}: “Do not be afraid of people who ◄threaten you/say things to cause you to be afraid of what they might do to you►, and do not worry about [DOU] what they
{\ADD{might do to you}}.”

\VS{15}Instead, acknowledge that Christ is the one who is in complete control
{\ADD{of your lives}}. Always be ready to answer everyone who demands that you tell them about what you confidently expect
{\ADD{God to do for you}}.

\VS{16}But answer them humbly and respectfully, and make sure that you ◄do/have done► nothing wrong, in order that those who say evil things about you may be ashamed when they see the good way in which you are conducting yourselves because of your relationship with Christ.

\VS{17}{\ADD{It may be that God wants you}} to suffer. But it is better to do good things,
{\ADD{even if you suffer for doing them}}, than to do evil things and suffer
{\ADD{for doing that}}.

\VS{18}{\ADD{I say that}} because Christ died once for the sake of people who have sinned. He was a righteous person who died for unrighteous people. He died in order that ◄he might bring us to/we might begin an intimate relationship with► God.
{\ADD{During the time that he had}} an ordinary body, he was killed $\{$people killed him$\}$, but
{\ADD{God’s}} Spirit caused him to become alive again.

\VS{19}The Spirit also helped him as he went to proclaim
{\ADD{God’s victory to the evil}} spirits whom God had imprisoned
{\ADD{in the heavens}} (OR, to the spirits of those who
{\ADD{had died, and who}} were in the place where the spirits of dead people are).

\VS{20}Long ago, during the time that Noah was building a big boat,
{\ADD{those evil spirits}} disobeyed God when he waited patiently [PRS]
{\ADD{to see if people would turn from their evil behavior}}. Only a few people were saved $\{${\ADD{God}} saved only a few people$\}$
{\ADD{in that boat}}. Specifically,
{\ADD{God}} brought only eight persons safely through the waters
{\ADD{of the flood}},
{\ADD{while all the others drowned in it}}.

\VS{21}That water,
{\ADD{by means of which eight people were saved when God punished the other people}} [MET], represents
{\ADD{the water in which we are}} baptized
{\ADD{to show that God has}} saved us
{\ADD{from being punished}}. The water in which we are baptized does not remove dirt from our bodies. Instead,
{\ADD{it shows that}} we are requesting
{\ADD{God to assure us}} that he has removed our guilt
{\ADD{for having sinned}}. And because Jesus Christ became alive again after he died,
{\ADD{we know that God accepted his sacrifice for us and because of that he was able to remove our guilt}}.

\VS{22}Christ has gone into heaven and is ruling [MTY] in the place of highest honor ◄next to God/at God’s side►, after
{\ADD{God}} caused all the evil and powerful spirit beings [DOU] to be made subject to him.




\par }\Chap{4}{\SH Think as Christ did when he suffered, and conduct your lives as God wants you to, not doing the immoral things that you used to do.
\par }
{\SR 1 Peter 4:1-6

\par }{\PP \VerseOne{1}Therefore, because Christ suffered physically, you also must think the way that he did
{\ADD{when he was willing to suffer}}, because those who suffer physically{\ADD{because of belonging to Jesus}} have stopped sinning
{\ADD{the way they used to sin}}.

\VS{2}As a result, during their remaining time here on earth, they do not do the things that sinful people desire to do, but instead they do the things that God wants them to do.

\VS{3}{\ADD{I say that to you}} because [SAR] you have already spent too much of your time
{\ADD{here on earth}} doing what the people who do not know God like to do. In the past you committed all kinds of sexually immoral acts [DOU], you got drunk and then participated in ◄orgies/wild parties► and carousing/revelry, and you
{\ADD{worshipped}} idols, which is very displeasing to God.

\VS{4}{\ADD{Because you used to do those things}},
{\ADD{your friends}} are surprised that you do not join them any more when they participate in that kind of wild behavior
{\ADD{that}} ◄{\ADD{is rushing to/will quickly}}►
{\ADD{destroy them like}} [MET] a flood. As a result, they say evil things about you.

\VS{5}But
{\ADD{God}} is ready to judge the people who are living
{\ADD{now}} and the people who have died, and he is the one who will decide whether he approves of what each of them has done.

\VS{6}That is the reason why the message
{\ADD{about Christ}} was preached $\{${\ADD{people}} preached the message
{\ADD{about Christ}}$\}$ to believers who have now died.
{\ADD{That message was preached to them}} in order that even though
{\ADD{sinful}} people might judge them
{\ADD{and say that they are guilty}}, God’s Spirit would
{\ADD{enable them to}} live
{\ADD{eternally}}.


\par }{\SH Keep thinking sensibly. Love each other earnestly. Provide hospitality to others. Use your spiritual gifts well. Be kind to others with all the energy that you have.
\par }
{\SR 1 Peter 4:7-11

\par }{\PP \VS{7}It is almost the time when everything on this earth will come to an end. Therefore, keep thinking sensibly/reasonably and control what you think [DOU], so that you can pray
{\ADD{clearly}}.

\VS{8}Most important of all, love each other earnestly/wholeheartedly, because if we love others [PRS], we will just ignore many of the sinful things that
{\ADD{they do to us}}.

\VS{9}Provide food and a place to sleep for those
{\ADD{who come to your community}},
{\ADD{and do it}} without complaining.

\VS{10}Believers should all use the spiritual gifts that God has given them to serve others. They should manage/use well the various gifts that God has kindly given them.

\VS{11}Those who speak
{\ADD{to the congregation}} should do that as though they are speaking the
{\ADD{very}} words of God. Those who do kind things to others should do it with the strength that God gives them, in order that God may be honored by all this $\{$that all this may honor God$\}$ as Jesus Christ
{\ADD{enables us to do it. I pray that we will}} praise
{\ADD{God}} (OR,
{\ADD{Jesus}}) and allow him
{\ADD{to rule over us}} forever. ◄May it be so!/Amen!►


\par }{\SH Do not be surprised when you suffer for being Christians, and do not be ashamed when that happens. Instead, commit yourselves to God.
\par }
{\SR 1 Peter 4:12-19

\par }{\PP \VS{12}You whom I love, do not be surprised about the painful things that you are suffering
{\ADD{because you belong to Christ}}.
{\ADD{Those}} things are
{\ADD{testing you as metals are tested by people putting them}} in a fire. Do not think that something strange is happening to you.

\VS{13}Instead, rejoice that you are suffering the same kinds of things that Christ endured. Rejoice when
{\ADD{you suffer}}, in order that you may also be very glad [DOU] when Christ returns and reveals how glorious/wonderful he is.

\VS{14}If you are insulted $\{$If
{\ADD{people}} insult you$\}$ because you believe in Christ [MTY],
{\ADD{God is}} pleased with you, because it shows that the Spirit of God, the Spirit who
{\ADD{reveals how}} great
{\ADD{God is}}, lives within you.

\VS{15}If you suffer, do not let that suffering be the result of your being a murderer or a thief or as a result of doing some other evil thing, or as a result of interfering in someone else’s affairs.

\VS{16}But if you suffer because of being a Christian, do not be ashamed about it. Instead, praise God that you are suffering because of belonging to Christ [MTY].

\VS{17}I say that, because it is now time for God to begin judging people, and first he will judge those who belong [MTY] to him. Since he will judge us believers first, think about the terrible things that will happen to [RHQ] those who do not obey the good message that comes from him!

\VS{18}{\ADD{That will be as it}} is written in the Scriptures,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{Many}} righteous people
{\ADD{will have to suffer}} many
{\ADD{difficult trials before going to heaven}}.

\par }{\Q So ungodly and sinful people will surely have to suffer
{\ADD{much severe punishment from God}}!


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Therefore, those who suffer because of its being God’s will that they suffer
{\ADD{because of being Christians}} should commit themselves to God, the one who created them and the one who always does what he promises to do. And they should continue to do what is right.




\par }\Chap{5}{\SH You elders must care for your congregations with enthusiasm, not being greedy for money or acting like bosses. Instead, be examples to them.
\par }
{\SR 1 Peter 5:1-7

\par }{\PP \VerseOne{1}{\ADD{Now I will say this to those among}} you who are elders in the congregations: I also am an elder. I am one
{\ADD{of those}} who saw Christ when he suffered, and I am also one who will share some of the glory/greatness that Christ has in heaven.

\VS{2}{\ADD{I appeal to you elders}} to take care of the people who are in your
{\ADD{congregations}} [MET] as shepherds
{\ADD{take care of their}} flocks of sheep. Do this, not because you must do it, but instead do it willingly, as God desires. Do not be greedy to get a lot
{\ADD{of money for doing it}}, but instead do it enthusiastically/wholeheartedly.

\VS{3}Do not act like domineering
{\ADD{bosses over}} the people [MET] whom God has assigned/entrusted to you, but instead be examples to them by the way in which you conduct your lives.

\VS{4}{\ADD{If you do that}}, when Jesus, who is
{\ADD{like}} our chief shepherd [MET], appears, he will give each of you a
{\ADD{glorious/wonderful reward}} [MET].
{\ADD{That reward will be like}} the wreaths
{\ADD{that are given to victorious athletes}}, but your reward will never wither
{\ADD{like wreaths do}}.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}{\ADD{Now I will say this to}} you young men
{\ADD{and women}}:
{\ADD{Just like married men and women are}} ◄{\ADD{to be subject/to submit themselves}}►
{\ADD{to their spouses}}, you must ◄be subject/submit yourselves► ◄to the older men/to the leaders►
{\ADD{of the congregation}}. And all of you
{\ADD{believers}} should act [MET] humbly toward each other, because this proverb is true:

\par }{\Q God opposes people who are proud, but he acts kindly toward those who are humble.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Therefore, realizing that God has great power [MTY]
{\ADD{to punish proud people}}, humble yourselves, in order that he may honor you at the time that
{\ADD{he has determined}}.

\VS{7}Because he takes care of you, let him take care of all the things that you are worried/concerned about.


\par }{\SH Resist the devil by always being alert and trusting in Christ’s message, remembering that believers everywhere are also suffering as you are.
\par }
{\SR 1 Peter 5:8-11

\par }{\PP \VS{8}Always be fully alert, because the devil, who is your enemy, is going/sneaking around, looking for people
{\ADD{to destroy}}.
{\ADD{He is}} like [SIM] a lion who roars as it prowls around, seeking someone to
{\ADD{kill and}} devour.

\VS{9}You must resist him by continuing to firmly trust in
{\ADD{Christ and his message}}, remembering that your fellow believers all over the world are experiencing similar sufferings
{\ADD{that the devil is bringing to them}}.

\VS{10}God is the one who kindly helps us in every
{\ADD{situation}}, and
{\ADD{he is the one}} who chose us to share his eternal glory/greatness
{\ADD{in heaven}} because of our relationship with Christ.
{\ADD{And}} after you have suffered for a while
{\ADD{because of things that people do to harm you}}, he will remove your spiritual defects/imperfections, he will strengthen you
{\ADD{spiritually}} [DOU], and he will support you
{\ADD{emotionally}}.

\VS{11}{\ADD{I pray/desire that}} he will
{\ADD{rule}} powerfully forever. ◄May it be so!/Amen!►


\par }{\SH I have written this short message to encourage you. The believers here, including Mark, greet you. May God give you inner peace.
\par }
{\SR 1 Peter 5:12-14

\par }{\PP \VS{12}Silas has written this letter
{\ADD{for me as I have}} ◄{\ADD{dictated it to him/told him what to write}}►. I consider/know that he is a faithful fellow believer. I have written this short letter to you to encourage you, and I want to assure you that
{\ADD{what I have written}} is a true message about the things that God kindly does for
{\ADD{us, things that we do not deserve}}. Continue to firmly believe this message.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}In
{\ADD{this city that is sometimes referred to as}} ‘Babylon’ [MET], the believers [SYN], whom
{\ADD{God}} has chosen
{\ADD{to belong to him}} just like he chose you, ◄send you
{\ADD{(pl)}} their greetings/say that they are thinking affectionately about you►. Mark, who is [MET]
{\ADD{like}} a son to me, also ◄{\ADD{sends you his greetings/says that he is thinking affectionately about you}}►.

\VS{14}Greet each other with a kiss
{\ADD{on the cheek}} to
{\ADD{show that}} you love
{\ADD{each other}}.
{\ADD{I pray that God will give inner}} peace to all of you who have a relationship with Christ.


\par }