who are protected by God's power through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

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

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are overbearing.

For what credit is it, if when you do wrong and are beaten for it you patiently endure? But if when you do right and suffer for it you patiently endure, you have favor with 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.

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

Who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,

and keep a clear conscience, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they abuse you;

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.

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

Likewise you that are younger men be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren throughout the world.

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