because you are attaining the goal of your faith -- the salvation of your souls.

for it is written, "You shall be holy, because I am holy."

and a stumbling-stone and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

For this finds God's favor, if because of conscience toward God someone endures hardships in suffering unjustly.

Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.

Because Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring you to God, by being put to death in the flesh but by being made alive in the spirit.

So, since Christ suffered in the flesh, you also arm yourselves with the same attitude, because the one who has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin,

Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins.

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

In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you.

Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering.