You must continue to love Him, although you have never seen Him, but because you do believe in Him, although you do not now see Him, you must continue to rejoice with an unutterable and triumphant joy,

And if you address as Father, Him who judges everyone impartially in accordance with what he does, you must live reverently all your fleeting stay on earth,

who through Him trust in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory; so that your faith and hope may rest in God.

Keep on coming to Him, as to a living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious in His sight,

It must be so, because the Scriptures say: "Here now I lay in Zion a chosen stone, a costly cornerstone, And not a single one who puts his trust in Him will ever be put to shame."

So to you who put your trust in Him the honor belongs, but to those who fail to trust Him: "That stone which then the builders threw away Has now become the cornerstone,"

But you are the chosen race, the royal priesthood, the consecrated nation, the people to be His very own, to proclaim the perfections of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

and to governors as sent by Him to punish those who do evil and to reward those who do right.

Although He was abused, He never retorted; although He continued to suffer, He never threatened, but committed His case to Him who judges justly.

They were submissive to their husbands, as Sarah, for example, obeyed Abraham and called him master. You have become true daughters of hers, if you practice doing right and cease from every fear.

who has gone to heaven and is now at God's right hand, with angels, heavenly authorities and powers made subject to Him.

but they will have to give account for it to Him who is ready to judge living and dead.

If anyone is preaching, let him do it as one who utters the oracles of God; if anyone is rendering any service to others, let him do it with all the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Cast every worry you have upon Him, because He cares for you.

Resist him and be strong in faith, because you know that your brotherhood all over the world is experiencing the same sort of sufferings.

To Him be dominion forever. Amen.

By Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I regard him, I have written you this short letter, to encourage you and to testify that this is the true, unmerited favor of God. Stand firm in it.