1 So since Messiah suffered while in is fleshly body, you should also strengthen yourselves with the same kind of thinking that He had. The one who accepts suffering in this life has clearly decided to stop sinning. 2 Now strengthen yourselves so that you will live your lives here on earth doing what YAHUSHA wants, not the evil lusts that people want to do all day. 3 In the past you wasted too much time living how the nations who don’t know YAHUSHA live. You were living immoral, perverse lives, doing the evil lusts you wanted to do. You were always getting drunk, having wild parties, orgies, and doing shameful things in your idolatrous behaviour.
4 Now those same “friends” think it’s strange that you no longer join them in all the wild and wasteful things they do, and their flood of loose behaviour. And so they say bad things about you now. 5 But they will have to face YAHUSHA to explain what they’ve done. He is the one who will soon judge everyone - those who are still living and those who have died. 6 Some were told the Good News before they died. They were criticised by others in their life here on earth. But it was YAHUSHA’S plan that they hear the Good News so that they could have a new life through the Spirit.
7 The time is near when all things will end. So keep your minds clear, sober, and control yourselves. This will help you in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, love each other deeply, because love allows you to forgive cover a multitude of sins. 9 Open your homes to each other and share your food without complaining or grumbling. 10 YAHUSHA has shown you His favour in many different ways. So be good servants and use whatever gift He’s given you in a way that will best help and serve each other. 11 If your gift is speaking, your words should be like words from YAHUSHA. If your gift is serving, you should serve with the strength that YAHUSHA gives. Then it is YAHUSHA who will be praised in everything. Power and esteem belong to Him forever and ever. Amein.
12 My friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials and painful things that you are now suffering, which are testing your belief. Don’t think that something strange is happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you are sharing in Messiah’s sufferings, and you’ll be happy and full of joy when Messiah shows His esteem. 14 When people say bad things to you and you suffer because you follow Messiah, consider it a blessing. When that happens, it shows that YAHUSHA’S Spirit, the Spirit of esteem, is with you - it may sound like an insult on their part, but it’s actually a blessing to YAHUSHA! 15 You may suffer, but don’t let it be because you murder, steal, make trouble, or try to control other people’s lives. 16 But if you suffer because you behave like Messiah, don’t be ashamed. You should praise YAHUSHA for that trial. 17 For its time for judgment to begin, and its starting right from YAHUSHA’S own house and family first. So if it begins with us, then what will happen to those who don’t accept the Good News of YAHUSHA? How sever will their judgment be?
18 If it’s hard for even a righteous person to be delivered, then what will happen to the one who is against YAHUSHA and full of sin? 19 So if YAHUSHA wants you to suffer, you should trust your lives to Him as your trustworthy Creator. Yes! He is the One Who made you, and you can trust Him. So continue to do good and behave yourselves.
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