11. Anyone who speaks should speak words from God. The person who serves should serve with the strength that God gives. You should do these things so that in everything God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Power and glory belong to him forever and ever. Amen.
12. My friends, do not be surprised at the painful things you are now suffering. These things are testing your faith. So do not think that something strange is happening to you.
13. But you should be happy that you are sharing in Christ’s sufferings. You will be happy and full of joy when Christ comes again in glory.
14. When people insult you because you follow Christ, then you are blessed. You are blessed because the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God, is with you.
15. Do not suffer for murder, theft, or any other crime, nor because you trouble other people.
16. But if you suffer because you are a Christian, then do not be ashamed. You should praise God because you wear that name.
17. It is time for judgment to begin, and it will begin with God’s family. If that judging begins with us, what will happen to those people who do not obey the Good News of God?
18. “It is very hard for a good person to be saved.Then the wicked person andthe sinner will surely be lost!”
19. So then those who suffer as God wants them to should trust their souls to him. God is the One who made them, and they can trust him. So they should continue to do what is right.