Who, through the purpose of God, have been made holy by the Spirit, disciples of Jesus, made clean by his blood: May you have grace and peace in full measure.

You have cause for great joy in this, though it may have been necessary for you to be troubled for a little time, being tested in all sorts of ways,

Because it has been said in the Writings, You are to be holy, for I am holy.

Being conscious that you have been made free from that foolish way of life which was your heritage from your fathers, not through a payment of things like silver or gold which come to destruction,

In the past you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; then there was no mercy for you, but now mercy has been given to you.

He took our sins on himself, giving his body to be nailed on the tree, so that we, being dead to sin, might have a new life in righteousness, and by his wounds we have been made well.

Who has gone into heaven, and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been put under his rule.

Because for long enough, in times past, we have been living after the way of the Gentiles, given up to the desires of the flesh, to drinking and feasting and loose behaviour and unclean worship of images;

Making distribution among one another of whatever has been given to you, like true servants of the unmeasured grace of God;