elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by sanctification of the Spirit, that they might be brought to the obedience, and sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ: grace unto you and peace be multiplied.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto an animating hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

who are guarded by the omnipotence of God, through faith to obtain the salvation which is ready to appear at the last time.

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

that the test of your faith (much more precious than that of gold, which is of a perishing nature, though proved by fire) may be found unto praise and honour and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ:

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.

Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, vigilant, wait with assured hope for the grace, which shall be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

but as he who hath called you is holy, be ye holy also in all your conduct:

because it is written, "Be ye holy; for I am holy."

knowing that ye have not been redeemed out of your vain manner of life, derived traditionally from your fathers, by the corruptible things, silver and gold,

but by the precious blood of Christ, as the unblemished and spotless lamb:

who by him believe in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth through the Spirit unto fraternal affection undissembled, love each other intensely out of a pure heart:

born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the quickening word of God, and which abideth for ever.

but the word of the Lord abideth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, "Behold, I lay in Sion a cornerstone, elect, precious, and the believer on him shall never be confounded."

By you therefore who believe is he honoured: but respecting the disobedient, "the stone which the builders rejected, this very stone is become the head of the corner,

But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people acquired by purchase; that ye should publish abroad the excellencies of him, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Be subject therefore to every human constitution for the Lord's sake; whether to a king as the supreme magistrate;

or to governors, as sent by him for the punishment of wicked doers, but the praise of those who do well.

For such is the will of God, that by well doing ye hold under restraint the ignorance of foolish men:

Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but even to the froward.

For what glory would there be, if committing faults, and being buffeted, ye suffered patiently? but if, when ye behave well, yet suffer, ye bear it patiently, this is graciously accepted of God.

who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead unto sins, might live unto righteousness; "by whose stripes, [even] his, ye were healed."

LIKEWISE, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if some obey not the word, by their wives' conduct without the word, they may be won over;

Whose adorning let it not be that exterior one of braided locks, and golden trimmings, and dresses put on with nicety;

but let it be the hidden man of the heart, with that incorruptible ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God highly valuable.

Finally, be all like-minded, sympathizing, loving fraternally, compassionate, friendly hearted,

And who will do you harm if ye be imitators of him that is good?

But if ye should even suffer for righteousness, blessed are ye: be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled,

but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be always ready with your reply to every man who demands a reason respecting the hope which is in you with meekness and fear:

keeping a good conscience; that whereas they malign you, as evil doers, they may be confounded who take pleasure in ridiculing your good conduct in Christ.

For it is better (if it be God's will) to suffer as well doers than as evil doers.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, put to death indeed in the flesh, but raised to life by the Spirit:

by which also he went and preached to those spirits imprisoned;

The antitype to which baptism now saveth us (not the mere removal of filth from the flesh, but the engagement of a good conscience to God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

CHRIST then having suffered for us in the flesh, be ye also in mind armed for the same conflict: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sinning;

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 all things is near: be ye therefore sober-minded, and vigilant in prayers.

If any man speak, let it be agreeably to the oracles of God; if any man act as a deacon, let it be from the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory and might for ever and ever. Amen.

Beloved, be not amazed at the fiery trial among you which is to bring you to the test, as though something strange happened to you;

If ye suffer reproach for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: by them indeed he is blasphemed, but by you he is glorified.

But if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him give glory to God on this very account.

For now is the time when judgment is commencing at the house of God; and if it begin with us, what will be the end of those who obey not the gospel of God?

THE presbyters among you I exhort, who am a co-presbyter and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory which shall be revealed:

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.

Be sober, be vigilant; for your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, prowleth around, seeking whom he may devour:

against whom stand fast, firm in the faith, knowing that the very same sufferings are fully endured by the brotherhood which is in the world.

But the God of all grace, who hath called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, when ye have suffered a little while, himself perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

To him be glory and might for ever and ever. Amen.

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.

Salute one another with a kiss of love. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.