Forasmuch as ye know how that ye were not redeemed with corruptible gold and silver from your vain conversation, which ye received by the traditions of the fathers,

and a stone to stumble at, and a rock to offend them which stumble at the word, and believe not that whereon they were set.

which in time past were not a people, yet are now the people of God, which were not under mercy: but now have obtained mercy.

For hereunto verily were ye called, for Christ also suffered for us: leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps,

which his own self bare our sins in his body on the tree, that we should be delivered from sin and should live in righteousness. By whose stripes ye were healed.

For ye were as sheep going astray: but are now returned unto the shepherd, and bishop of your souls.

For after this manner in the old time did the holy women which trusted in God tire themselves, and were obedient to their husbands,

In which spirit, he also went and preached unto the spirits that were in prison,

which were in time past disobedient, when the long suffering of God abode exceeding patiently in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few - that is to say eight souls - were saved by water,

see that ye feed Christ's flock, which is among you, taking the oversight of them: not as though ye were compelled thereto, but willingly; Not for the desire of filthy lucre, but of a good mind.

Not as though ye were lords over the parishes: but that ye be an example to the flock.