Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that dwell here and there as strangers throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia;

as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves unto your old lusts of ignorance:

But as he which called you is holy, even so be ye holy in all manner of conversation,

Forasmuch as ye know how that ye were not redeemed with corruptible gold and silver from your vain conversation, which ye received by the traditions of the fathers,

but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb undefiled, and without spot,

And forasmuch as ye have purified your souls through the spirit, in obeying the truth for to love brotherly without feigning, see that ye love one another with a pure heart, fervently:

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man is as the flower of grass; the grass is withered, and the flower falleth away,

and as newborn babes desire that reasonable milk which is without corruption, that ye may be grown therein.

to whom ye come as unto a living stone, disallowed of men, but chosen of God and precious:

and ye, as living stones, are made a spiritual house, and a holy priesthood, for to offer up spiritual sacrifice, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers, and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which fight against the soul,

and see that ye have honest conversation among the gentiles, that they which backbite you as evil doers, may see your good works and praise God in the day of visitation.

Submit yourselves unto all manner ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be unto the King as unto the chief head;

other unto rulers, as unto them that are sent of him, for the punishment of evil doers: but for the laud of them that well do.

as free, and not as having the liberty for a cloak of maliciousness: but even as the servants of God.

For ye were as sheep going astray: but are now returned unto the shepherd, and bishop of your souls.

even as Sara obeyed Abraham and called him "Lord" - whose daughters ye are as long as ye do well, not being afraid of every shadow.

Likewise, ye men, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as unto them that are heirs also of the grace of life, that your prayers be not let.

In conclusion, be ye all of one mind, one suffer with another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous,

having a good conscience, that when they backbite you as evil doers, they may be ashamed, forasmuch as they have falsely accused your good conversation in Christ.

Forasmuch as Christ hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, for to bring us to God, and was killed, as pertaining to the flesh: but was quickened in the spirit.

Forasmuch as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he which suffereth in the flesh ceaseth from sin,

that he henceforward should live as much time as remaineth in the flesh, not after the lusts of men: but after the will of God.

As every man hath received the gift, minister the same one to another as good ministers of the manifold grace of God.

If any man speak, let him talk as though he spake the words of God. If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God ministereth unto him. That God, in all things, may be glorified through Jesus Christ: to whom be praise and dominion forever and while the world standeth. Amen.

Dearly beloved, be not troubled in this heat, which now is come among you to try you, as though some strange thing had happened unto you:

but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's passions, that when his glory appeareth, ye may be merry and glad.

See that none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or an evil doer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

If any man suffer as a Christian man, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify God on his behalf.

Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit their souls to him with well doing, as unto a faithful creator.

see that ye feed Christ's flock, which is among you, taking the oversight of them: not as though ye were compelled thereto, but willingly; Not for the desire of filthy lucre, but of a good mind.

Not as though ye were lords over the parishes: but that ye be an example to the flock.

Be sober, and watch. For your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, have I written briefly, exhorting and testifying how that this is the true grace of God, wherein ye stand.