3. You have spent enough time in the past doing what ungodly people choose to do. You lived a wild life. You longed for evil things. You got drunk. You went to wild parties. You worshiped statues of gods. The Lord hates that.
4. Ungodly people think that it's strange when you no longer join them in what they do. They want you to rush into the same flood of wasteful living. So they say bad things about you.
5. But they will have to explain their actions to God. He is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6. That's why the good news was preached even to people who are now dead. Human judges said they were guilty as far as their bodies were concerned. But God set their spirits free to live as he wanted them to.
7. The end of all things is near. So keep a clear mind. Control yourselves. Then you can pray.
8. Most of all, love one another deeply. Love erases many sins by forgiving them.