1 Peter 1:13-25 - Be Holy In All Your Conduct
13 So, gather your thoughts together for action, take control of yourselves and focus your hope completely on God's unearned favor, which will be brought to you by Jesus Christ when He returns. 14 As obedient children, do not pattern your lives after the evil desires you formerly had when you were ignorant, 15 but according to the Holy One, who called you [i.e., God], you people also should become holy [i.e., separated for God's service] in all your conduct, 16 because it is written [Lev. 11:44f], "You shall be holy [i.e., separated from sin] even as I am holy."
17 And if you call upon [God as] your Father, who judges each person's work impartially, [then] conduct yourselves during the time you spend in this life showing reverence [to God]. 18 You [should] know that you were bought back [from Satan], from your useless way of life, inherited from your forefathers, not with such perishable things as silver and gold, 19 but with [the] precious blood of Christ, who represents an unblemished lamb, without defect. 20 For Christ was previously known [by God, even] before the world was created, yet was not fully revealed for your benefit until [these] final times. 21 [It is] through Christ, whom God raised from the dead and honored, that you people have become believers in God, so that your faith and hope could rest in God.
22 [Since] you have purified your souls by [your] obedience to the truth [i.e., the Gospel message], which produces a genuine love for your brothers, [now] you should have this kind of fervent, heartfelt love for one another. 23 You have experienced new birth, not from seed that can decay, but from seed that cannot decay, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For all forms of flesh are similar to grass, and all the splendor of [a person's] flesh is like the flower [which blossoms] from the grass. [But as with] grass, [a person's flesh] withers, and its flower [i.e., his splendor] falls off. 25 But the word of the Lord continues to live on and on [forever]. And this word is the good news that was preached to you people.