who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling with his blood: may grace and peace be yours in abundance.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials,

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaventhings into which angels long to look.

Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart.

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

for you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

For what credit is it, if when you do wrong and are beaten for it you patiently endure? But if when you do right and suffer for it you patiently endure, you have favor with God.

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

For you were straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

For you have spent enough time in the past doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you.

With the help of Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.