Living for God
1Christ suffered in his body. So prepare yourselves to think in the same way Christ did. Do this because whoever suffers in their body is finished with sin. 2As a result, they don’t live the rest of their earthly life for evil human desires. Instead, they live to do what God wants. 3You 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, which the Lord hates. 4Ungodly people are surprised that you no longer join them in what they do. They want you to join them in their wild and wasteful living. So they say bad things about you. 5But they will have to explain their actions to God. He is ready to judge those who are alive and those who are dead. 6That’s why the good news was preached even to people who are now dead. It was preached to them for two reasons. It was preached so that their bodies might be judged. This judgment is made by human standards. But the good news was also preached so that their spirits might live. This life comes by means of God’s power.
7The end of all things is near. So be watchful and control yourselves. Then you may pray. 8Most of all, love one another deeply. Love erases many sins by forgiving them. 9Welcome others into your homes without complaining. 10God’s gifts of grace come in many forms. Each of you has received a gift in order to serve others. You should use it faithfully. 11If anyone speaks, they should do it as one speaking God’s words. If anyone serves, they should do it with the strength God provides. Then in all things God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Glory and power belong to him for ever and ever. Amen.
Suffering for Being a Christian
12Dear friends, don’t be surprised by the terrible things happening to you. The trouble you are having has come to test you. So don’t feel as if something strange were happening to you. 13Instead, be joyful that you are taking part in Christ’s sufferings. Then you will have even more joy when Christ returns in glory. 14Suppose people say bad things about you because you believe in Christ. Then you are blessed, because God’s Spirit rests on you. He is the Spirit of glory. 15If you suffer, it shouldn’t be because you are a murderer. It shouldn’t be because you are a thief or someone who does evil things. It shouldn’t be because you interfere with other people’s business. 16But suppose you suffer for being a Christian. Then don’t be ashamed. Instead, praise God because you are known by the name of Christ. 17It is time for judgment to begin with the household of God. And since it begins with us, what will happen to people who don’t obey God’s good news? 18Scripture says,
“Suppose it is hard for godly people to be saved.
Then what will happen to ungodly people and sinners?” (Proverbs 11:31)
19Here is what people who suffer because of God’s plan should do. They should commit themselves to their faithful Creator. And they should continue to do good.
Moyo Watsopano
1Popeza kuti Khristu anamva zowawa mʼthupi lake, mukhale nawonso mtima omwewo, chifukwa iye amene wamva zowawa mʼthupi lake walekana nawo uchimo. 2Chifukwa cha ichi, iwo sakhalanso moyo wawo akuchita zofuna za matupi awo, koma amachita chifuniro cha Mulungu. 3Pakuti mwataya kale nthawi yambiri mʼmbuyomu pochita zimene anthu osapembedza amachita, moyo wokhumba zonyansa, zilakolako zoyipa kuledzera, zochitika zoyipa za pa phwando, mapokoso ndi kupembedza mafano onyansa. 4Anthu osapembedza amadabwa pamene simuthamangira nawo kuchita zoyipitsitsazi, nʼchifukwa chake amakuchitani chipongwe. 5Koma adzafotokoza okha mlandu wawo kwa Mulungu amene wakonzeka kuweruza amoyo ndi akufa. 6Pa chifukwa chimenechi, Uthenga Wabwino unalalikidwa ngakhale kwa iwo amene tsopano ndi akufa, kuti adzaweruzidwe monga anthu ku thupi, koma adzakhale ndi moyo monga mwa Mulungu mu mzimu.
7Chimaliziro cha zinthu zonse chili pafupi. Choncho khalani maso ndi odziletsa kuti muthe kupemphera. 8Koposa zonse muzikondana wina ndi mnzake kwambiri, chifukwa chikondi chimaphimba machimo ambiri. 9Muzisamalirana wina ndi mnzake osamanyinyirika. 10Aliyense agwiritse ntchito mokhulupirika mphatso iliyonse imene anayilandira potumikira ena ngati adindo ogwiritsa bwino ntchito mphatso za Mulungu za mitundumitundu. 11Ngati wina ayankhula, ayankhuledi mawu enieni a Mulungu. Ngati wina atumikira, atumikire ndi mphamvu imene Mulungu amapereka, kuti pa zonse Mulungu alemekezedwe mwa Yesu Khristu. Kwa Iye kukhale ulemerero ndi mphamvu mpaka muyaya, Ameni.
Kumva Zowawa Chifukwa cha Chikhristu
12Abale okondedwa musadabwe ndi mayesero owawa amene mukukumana nawo ngati kuti china chake chachilendo chakuchitikirani. 13Koma kondwerani popeza mukumva zowawa pamodzi ndi Khristu, kuti mudzakondwere kwakukulu pamene ulemerero wake udzaonekera. 14Ngati akuchitani chipongwe chifukwa cha dzina la Khristu, ndinu odala, ndiye kuti Mzimu waulemerero wa Mulungu uli pa inu. 15Ngati mumva zowawa, zisakhale chifukwa cha kupha munthu, kapena kuba, kapena kuchita choyipa, kapena kulowerera za anthu ena, 16koma ngati mumva zowawa chifukwa ndinu Mkhristu, musachite manyazi, koma muyamike Mulungu chifukwa cha dzinalo. 17Pakuti nthawi yafika kuti chiweruzo chiyambe mʼnyumba ya Mulungu, ndipo ngati chiyamba ndi ife nanga podzafika kwa osamvera Uthenga Wabwino wa Mulungu, chidzakhala chotani? 18Monga Malemba akuti,
“Ngati kuli kovuta kuti olungama apulumuke,
nanga munthu wochimwa, wosasamala za Mulungu adzatani?”
19Nʼchifukwa chake, iwo amene akumva zowawa monga mwa chifuniro cha Mulungu, adzipereke okha mʼmanja mwa Mlengi wawo wokhulupirika ndi kumapitiriza kuchita zabwino.
