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 indescribable and glorious joy,

Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope might be in God.

As you come to him, the living stone who was rejected by people but was chosen and precious in God's sight,

This is why it says in Scripture: "Look! I am laying a chosen, precious cornerstone in Zion. The one who believes in him will never be ashamed."

or to governors who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughters by doing good and by not letting anything terrify you.

who has gone to heaven and is at the right hand of God, where angels, authorities, and powers have been made subject to him.

Whoever speaks must speak God's words. Whoever serves must serve with the strength that God supplies, so that in every way God may be glorified through Jesus, the Messiah. Glory and power belong to him forever and ever! Amen.

Throw all your worry on him, because he cares for you.

Resist him and be firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.

Power belongs to him forever and ever! Amen.