to an inheritance imperishable, and undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,

wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a short time, if need be, made sorrowful by manifold trials,

that the proof of your faith, much more precious than gold which perisheth, but is tried with fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the manifestation of Jesus Christ;

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope undoubtingly for the grace that is to be brought to you at the manifestation of Jesus Christ;

because it is written, "Ye shall be holy, for I am holy."

And if ye call him Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to each ones work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear;

who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but manifested in these last times for you,

but the word of the Lord abideth for ever;" and this is the word which was preached to you.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for a possession, that ye may show forth the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light;

Submit yourselves therefore to every human institution for the Lords sake; whether to the king, as supreme;

or to governors, as being sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and the praise of those who do well.

For so is the will of God, that with welldoing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men;

as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as servants of God.

Honor all men; love the brotherhood; fear God; honor the king.

Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and considerate, but also to the perverse.

For this is acceptable, if any one on account of a sense of duty to God endureth hardships, suffering wrongfully.

For what glory is it, if, when ye are beaten for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently [it is glory]; for this is acceptable with God.

For to this ye were called; because even Christ suffered for us, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps;

For ye were going astray like sheep; but ye have now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

when they behold your chaste behavior coupled with fear.

For in this manner in the old time the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands;

as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose daughters ye have become, if ye do well, and fear no alarm.

not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but, on the contrary, blessing the evildoer; because for this end ye were called, that ye might inherit blessing.

"For he that would love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile;

For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are toward their supplication; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

But if ye even suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye. And be not afraid at their terrors, nor alarmed;

but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. And be ready always to give an answer to every one that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, but with meekness and fear;

For it is better, if it be the will of God, that ye suffer for welldoing, than for evildoing.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous one for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

which in its antitype, baptism, is now saving you,not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the earnest seeking for a good conscience toward God,by the resurrection of Jesus Christ;

Christ then having suffered in the flesh, do ye also arm yourselves with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

For sufficient is the time past to have wrought the will of the gentiles, when ye walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, carousings, and abominable idolatries;

For to this end was the gospel preached also to the dead, that they might indeed be judged according to men in the flesh, but might live according to God in the spirit.

And above all things have fervent love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins.

If any one speak, let him speak as uttering the oracles of God; if any minister, let him do it as from the ability which God giveth; that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

but, in so far as ye share in Christs sufferings, rejoice; that also at the manifestation of his glory ye may rejoice with exceeding joy.

If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.

For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or as a busybody in other mens matters;

For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God; but if it first begin with us, what will be the end of those who obey not the gospel of God?

tend the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it, not by constraint, but willingly; not for base gain, but with ready mind;

In like manner, ye younger men, submit yourselves to the elder; and all of you be clothed with humility toward each other; for "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble."

casting all your care upon him, because he careth for you.

To him be the dominion for ever. Amen.