whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don't see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory --

If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man's work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear:

who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.

coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious.

Because it is contained in Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen, and precious: He who believes in him will not be disappointed."

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well.

Who, when he was cursed, didn't curse back. When he suffered, didn't threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously;

as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are, if you do well, and are not put in fear by any terror.

For, "He who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.

Let him turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it.

who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.

who will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.

Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.

casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.

To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Through Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.