Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Diaspora in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Wherein ye exult, though yet for a little space, (if it must be so,) ye are in sorrow through various trials:

they are to show that your faith when tested is found to be more precious than gold, which though it is perishable is tested with fire, and they will bring you praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Him you love, though you have never seen him; in him you ever believe, though even now you see him not, and you are rejoicing with joy unspeakable and full of glory,

because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

To whom it was revealed, that not for themselves, but for us were their ministrations employed in the things which are now declared unto you by those who have preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; on which things the angels bending forwards eagerly desire to gaze.

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, and with perfect calmness fix your hopes on the mercy that you are to experience when Jesus Christ is revealed.

But be holy in every detail of your lives, as he, whose servants you are, is holy;

Because it has been said in the Writings, You are to be holy, for I am holy.

And if you give the name of Father to him who, judging every man by his acts, has no respect for a man's position, then go in fear while you are on this earth:

who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.

for ye are born anew, not of mortal seed, but of immortal seed, by the word of God which liveth, and lasteth forever.

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.

to whom you are drawing near, a living stone rejected by men but chosen [and] precious in the sight of God.

You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

to you, then, who are believing is the preciousness; and to the unbelieving, a stone that the builders disapproved of, this one did become for the head of a corner,

and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense. They stumble over it because they are disobeying God's word, and to this they were also appointed.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

who once were not a people, but now are God's people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Dear friends, I beg you, as aliens and exiles here, not to indulge the physical cravings that are at war with the soul.

Being of good behaviour among the Gentiles; so that though they say now that you are evil-doers, they may see your good works and give glory to God when he comes to be their judge.

And those of the rulers who are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and for the praise of those who do well.

As those who are free, not using your free position as a cover for wrongdoing, but living as the servants of God;

Servants, take orders from your masters with all respect; not only if they are good and gentle, but even if they are bad-humoured.

For those of you who put up with such suffering unjustly, because of your close relationship to God, are to be commended.

For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it , ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it , ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

For unto this are ye called; because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye might follow his steps.

He was abused, but he did not answer with abuse; he suffered, but he did not threaten; he entrusted himself to him whose judgments are just.

Who Himself bare our sins in his own body on the cross, that we being dead to sins, might live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye are healed.

For ye were as sheep wandering astray; but are now returned unto the pastor and bishop of your souls.

In like manner, the wives, be ye subject to your own husbands, that even if certain are disobedient to the word, through the conversation of the wives, without the word, they may be won,

when they see how chaste and submissive you are.

You are not to adorn yourselves on the outside with braids of hair and ornaments of gold and changes of dress,

but let the hidden man of the heart be adorned with the imperishable [ornaments] of a meek and quiet spirit, which are of great price before God.

as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are, if you do well, and are not put in fear by any terror.

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.

Last of all, see that you are all in agreement; feeling for one another, loving one another like brothers, full of pity, without pride:

not rendering evil for evil, neither rebuke for rebuke: but contrariwise, bless: remembering that ye are thereunto called, even that ye should be heirs of blessing.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

And who is there that can hurt you if you are eager to do what is right?

But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear, neither be troubled."

But give honour to Christ in your hearts as your Lord; and be ready at any time when you are questioned about the hope which is in you, to give an answer in the fear of the Lord and without pride;

having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ.

in which also going he preached to the spirits which are in prison,

Corresponding to that [rescue through the flood], baptism [which is an expression of a believer’s new life in Christ] now saves you, not by removing dirt from the body, but by an appeal to God for a good (clear) conscience, [demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

who is at the right hand of God, having gone into Heaven, where the angels and authorities and powers are being subjected to Him.

For the time that is past is enough for you to have accomplished what the heathen like to do, leading lives that are steeped in sensuality, lustful desires, drunkenness, carousing, revelry, dissipation, and idolatry that leads to lawlessness,

wherein they think it a strange thing, that you are not running with them into the same gulph of profligacy, spreading every scandalous report of you:

But, they will have to answer to God, who will judge both those who are now alive and those who have already died, [for the way they have lived].

For to this end was the gospel preached to those that are dead, that they might be judged indeed in the flesh according to the will of men, but live in spirit according to the will of God.

But the end of everything [as far as your lives are concerned] is near, so be sensible, and sober [so as to be] prayerful.

Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

If anyone has anything to say, let it be as the words of God; if anyone has the desire to be the servant of others, let him do it in the strength which is given by God; so that in all things God may have the glory through Jesus Christ, whose are the glory and the power for ever.

Dear friends, do not be astonished at the fiery trials that you are passing through, to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

But because you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

For the time has come for the judging, starting with the church of God; but if it makes a start with us, what will be the end of those who are not under the rule of God?

And if the righteous are saved with difficulty, {what will become of the ungodly and the sinner}?

So let those who are suffering according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

I appeal therefore to those who are elders among you; I am their brother-elder and a witness to what the Christ suffered, and I am to share in the glory that is to be revealed??2 be shepherds of the flock of God that is among you, not as though it were forced upon you but of your own free will, and not from base love of gain but freely,

I urge you to be true shepherds of the flock of God among you, not because you are compelled, but of your own free will; not from a base love of gain, but with a ready spirit;

Do not act as dictators over the people you are assigned to care for, but [rather] serve as examples of how they ought to live.

In like manner, ye who are younger persons, be in subjection to your elders: but all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed from head to foot with humility: for God sets himself in opposition to the proud, but he giveth grace to the lowly.

refer all your disquietudes to him, for you are the objects of his care.

Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.

By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I think, I have written to you a few words, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye are standing fast.

The companions of your election that are of Babylon, saluteth you, and Mark my son.

Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ.