whom God the Father has chosen and predestined by the consecration of the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ, and to be sprinkled with his blood; God bless you and give you perfect peace.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has caused us to be born anew to a life of hope through Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead,

and you by God's power are being protected through faith to receive a salvation that is now ready to be disclosed at the last time.

Rejoice over this, although just now perhaps distressed by 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.

It was disclosed to them that they were serving not themselves but you in dealing with these things, which have now been told you by those who through the holy Spirit sent from heaven brought you the good news; things into which angels long to look!

for the Scripture says, "You must be holy, Because I am holy."

And if you address him as Father who judges everyone impartially by what he does, you must live reverently all the time you stay here,

Now that by obeying the truth you have purified your souls for sincere love of the brotherhood, you must love one another intensely and heartily,

Come to him, as to a living stone rejected by men, but chosen and prized in the sight of God,

and build yourselves up as living stones into a spiritual house for a consecrated priesthood, so as to offer spiritual sacrifices that through Jesus Christ will be acceptable to God.

For it says in Scripture, "Here I lay a choice stone in Zion, a costly cornerstone; No one who believes in it will ever be disappointed!"

and to governors, as sent by him to punish evil-doers, and to encourage those who do right.

For it is the will of God that by doing right you should silence the ignorant charges of foolish people.

Live like free men, only do not make your freedom an excuse for doing wrong, but be slaves of God.

Treat everyone with respect. Love the brotherhood, be reverent to God, respect the emperor.

You servants must be submissive to your masters and perfectly respectful to them; not only to those who are kind and considerate, but also to those who are unreasonable.

He carried the burden of our sins in his own body on the cross, in order that we might die to sin and live for uprightness. By his wounds you have been healed.

You married women, in the same way, must be submissive to your husbands, so that any who refuse to believe the message may be won over without argument through the behavior of their wives

yours must be the inner beauty of character, the imperishable attraction of a quiet and gentle spirit, which has great value in the sight of God.

You married men also must be considerate in living with your wives. You must show deference to women as the weaker sex, sharing the gift of life with you, so that there may be nothing to interfere with your prayers.

Finally, you must all be harmonious, sympathizing, loving, tender-hearted, modest,

Even if you should suffer for uprightness, you are blessed. But do not be afraid of them, nor be troubled,

but reverence Christ in your hearts as Lord, and always be ready to make your defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that you have. But do so gently and respectfully,

and keep your conscience clear, so that those who abuse your upright Christian conduct may be made ashamed of their slanders.

For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God's will, than for doing wrong.

who had once been disobedient, when in Noah's time God in his patience waited for the ark to be made ready, in which a few people, eight in all, were brought safely through the water.

and no longer lives by what men desire, but for the rest of his earthly life by what God wills.

But the end of all things is near. Be serious and collected, therefore, and pray.

Be ungrudgingly hospitable to one another.

If one preaches, let him do it like one who utters the words of God; if one does some service, let him do it as with strength which God supplies, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Dear friends, do not be surprised that a test of fire is being applied to you, as though a strange thing were happening to you,

but be glad that you are in a measure sharing the sufferings of the Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may be triumphantly happy.

but if a man suffers for being a Christian, he must not be ashamed of it, but must do honor to God through that name.

For the time has come for the judgment to begin with the household of God, and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who refuse God's good news?

If it is hard for the upright man to be saved, what will become of the godless and sinful?

Therefore, those who suffer by the will of God must intrust their souls to a Creator who is faithful, and continue to do what is right.

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,

Be calm and watchful. Your opponent the devil is prowling about like a roaring lion, wanting to devour you.

Resist him and be strong in the faith, for you know that your brotherhood all over the world is having the same experience of suffering.

His be the dominion forever. Amen.

By Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I think him, I have written you this short letter to encourage you and bear my testimony that this is what the true mercy of God means. Stand fast in it.

Your sister-church in Babylon, chosen like you, and Mark my son wish to be remembered to you.