-whom, though you have not seen him, yet you love; on whom not now looking, but believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory,

to whom it was revealed, that, not for themselves, but for us, they ministered the things that are now preached to you by those who have made known to you the gospel, through the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; into which things angels desire to look.

but as he who has called you is holy, so be you holy in all your behavior:

but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without spot and blemish,

who was indeed foreordained before the foundation of the world, but manifested in these last times for you,

having been begotten again, not with corruptible seed, but with incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever.

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass; the grass withers, and its flower fails away: but the word of the Lord abides forever: and this is the word which has been preached as gospel to you.

Coming to him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by man, but in the sight of God, chosen and precious,

To you, then, who believe, is this preciousness: but the stone which the builders rejected, has become the head of the corner,

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people, that you should show forth the virtues of him who has called you out of darkness into his wonderful light:

who formerly were not a people, but now are the people of God; who had not received mercy, but now have received mercy.

For such is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men;

as being free, and yet not using your freedom as a cloak for malice, but as servants of God.

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the perverse.

For what praise is due, if, when you are punished for your faults, you endure it patiently? But if, when you do well, and suffer for it, you endure it patiently, this is praiseworthy in the- sight of God.

When he was reviled, he did not revile again; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but committed himself to him that judges righteously.

For you were like sheep that had gone astray; but now you have returned to the shepherd and bishop of your souls.

but let it be the hidden man of the heart, adorned with the incorruptible ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which, in the sight of God, is of great price.

not repaying evil for evil, nor reviling for reviling, but, on the other hand, blessing, since you know that for this end you were called, that you might inherit blessing.

For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry: but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

But yet, if you even suffer for righteousness, happy are you. Yet fear not their terror, nor be troubled:

but reverence the Lord God in your hearts, and be always ready to answer every one that asks of you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

For Christ also once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, having been put to death in flesh, but made alive in spirit;

the likeness of which, even immersion, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the seeking of a good conscience toward God,) does now also save us, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

so that he no longer lives the rest of his time in the flesh, according to the desires of men, but according to the will of God.

But the end of all things is at hand; be sober-minded, therefore, and watchful, that you may pray.

But, above all things, have fervent love one for another; for love will cover a multitude of sins.

But, inasmuch as you are partakers of the sufferings of the Christ,, rejoice, that, at the revelation of his glory, you may also be exceedingly joyful.

If you are reproached on account of Christ, happy are you: for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. On their part he is reviled, but on your part he is glorified:

But if any one suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this account.

Act as shepherds to the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight, not by compulsion, but willingly; not for the sake of sordid gain, but from readiness of mind:

neither as being lords over God's possessions, but being examples to the flock.

Likewise, you younger, be in subjection to the older: do you all indeed be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the lowly.

But may the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, confirm you.