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3:4.

man of the heart in the incorruptible clothes of the meek and quiet spirit which is of great value in the sight of God. For it was in this way the holy women also who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, submitting themselves to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him master. And you became her daughters by acting generously and not being afraid.

Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be cut off.

Finally, all of you be likeminded,

Sympathetic,

Loving like brothers,

Tenderhearted,

Humbleminded,

Not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling,

But on the contrary, blessing,

For to this you were called,

So that you should inherit a blessing.

For he who wishes to love life

And see good days,

Let him refrain his tongue from evil

And his lips that they speak no guile; Let him turn away from evil and do good,

3:11.

Let him seek peace and pursue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
And his ears listen to their prayers.

But the face of the Lord is against the evil-doers.

13)

And who is he who will harm you, if you become zealous for what is generous? But even if you should suffer for thinking and doing what is right, blessed are you. And fear not their fear nor be troubled, but revere Christ in your hearts as Lord, always ready with an answer for everybody who asks you a reason concerning the hope which is in you, yet with gentleness and fear, having a good conscience, so that in what you are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your noble conduct in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God is such, that you suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing. Because Christ also died for sins once, the good for the bad-so that he might bring you to God, being put to death in the flesh, but endued with life in the spirit. And in this also he went and preached to the spirits in prison, who were once disobedient when the long-suffering of God was waiting in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which few, that is eight souls were saved by means of the water. The counterpart of which now saves you,-purification,-not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the appeal of a

3:21.

good conscience toward God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.

Since then Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same thought; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin; so that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the desires of men, but to the will of God.

For the past time was enough in which to do the I will of the heathen and to walk in

lasciviousness,

desires,

wine-drinkings,
revellings,

carousings,

and abominable idolatries.

Because you have thus walked they think it strange that you no longer run with them into the same flood of self-abandonment, speaking · evil of you. And they will give account to him who is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For, for this purpose was the good news proclaimed even to the dead, so that they may be judged indeed in the flesh as men are judged but may live in the spirit as God lives.

4:7.

But the end of everything is at hand. So be of sound mind and self-contained with a view to prayer: above all being hearty and earnest in your love among yourselves. For love covers a multitude of sins: being hospitable to each other without murmuring: according as each has received a gift ministering it among yourselves as good stewards of the varied grace of God. If any one speaks, speaking as oracles of God: if any one ministers, ministering with the strength which God supplies so that in every thing God may be praised through Jesus Christ, whose is the praise and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Dear brothers, do not be astonished at the fiery trial among you which comes on you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened to you; but in proportion as you are sharers in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, so that at the revealing of his praise, you may rejoice with exulting joy.

If you are reproached with the name of Christ, blessed are you, because the Spirit of praise and the Spirit of God rest on you. For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or as a meddler in other men's matters. But if a man suffers as a 66 Christian,' "let him not be ashamed, but let him praise God with this name. For the time has come for judgment to

begin at the house of God.

4:17.

And if it begins first

at us, what shall be the end of those who do not obey the good news of God? And if the good man is scarcely saved, where shall the irreverent and bad man appear?

So let those also who are suffering according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing to a faithful Creator.

So the elders among you I exhort who am a fellow-elder, a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a sharer in the glory which will be revealed.

Tend the flock of God which is among you, not from compulsion, but from choice, nor sordidly, but heartily, nor as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested you will receive the crown of glory which never fades away.

In the same way, you younger men, submit yourselves to the elder.

Yes, all of you, gird yourselves with humility to serve each other. For

God resisteth the proud,

But giveth grace to the humble. So humble yourselves under the of God, so that he may exalt you throwing all your anxiety on him.

for you.

mighty hand.

in due time; For he cares

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