You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,

They were shown that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things now announced to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven -- things angels long to catch a glimpse of.

but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct,

but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, namely Christ.

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last times for your sake.

You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.

but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.

So as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and priceless in God's sight,

So you who believe see his value, but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

You once were not a people, but now you are God's people. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Live as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God's slaves.

Slaves, be subject to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are perverse.

For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God.

When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly.

For you were going astray like sheep but now you have turned back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

but the inner person of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God's sight.

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

For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the Lord's face is against those who do evil.

But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. But do not be terrified of them or be shaken.

But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.

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.

And this prefigured baptism, which now saves you -- not the washing off of physical dirt but the pledge of a good conscience to God -- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad.

But let none of you suffer as a murderer or thief or criminal or as a troublemaker.

But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear such a name.

Give a shepherd's care to God's flock among you, exercising oversight not merely as a duty but willingly under God's direction, not for shameful profit but eagerly.

And do not lord it over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock.

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.