as you obtain the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you inquired and searched carefully,

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,

but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct;

If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your exile on earth.

You know that you were redeemed from the futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,

As you come to him, the living Stone rejected by men but chosen and precious in the sight of God

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against your soul.

Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that in case they speak against you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the supreme authority,

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

Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a covering for evil; live as servants of God.

just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and are not frightened by any fear.

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with honor as the weaker partner, since you are joint heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble in spirit.

but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and respect;

so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human lusts, but for the will of God.

For this reason the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they might live in the spirit according to the will of God.

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of God's varied grace.

Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belongs the glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a wrongdoer, or a troublesome meddler;

yet if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify God.

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed,

shepherd the flock of God that is under your care, serving as overseersnot under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

not as lording it over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

With the help of Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.