As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance.

But as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct;

And if you address as Father the One who judges impartially based on each one’s work, you are to conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your temporary residence.

but the word of the Lord endures forever.

And this is the word that was preached as the gospel to you.

you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires that war against you.

Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that in a case where they speak against you as those who do what is evil, they will, by observing your good works, glorify God on the day of visitation.

Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor as the supreme authority

or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good.

As God’s slaves, live as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil.

just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and are not frightened by anything alarming.

Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives with an understanding of their weaker nature yet showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.

Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.

Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.

Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory.

None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.

But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name.

Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of the Messiah and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you:

The church in Babylon, also chosen, sends you greetings, as does Mark, my son.