that the proof of your faith, much more precious than gold which perisheth, but is tried with fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the manifestation of Jesus Christ;

to whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they were ministering the things, which have now been announced to you by them that have brought the glad tidings to you by the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

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

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

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

being born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth.

but the word of the Lord abideth for ever;" and this is the word which was preached to you.

To whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but in the sight of God chosen, honored,

To you therefore who believe, is the honor; but to the disobedient, "the stone which the builders rejected, the same hath become the cornerstone,"

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for a possession, that ye may show forth the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light;

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

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

Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and considerate, but also to the perverse.

For what glory is it, if, when ye are beaten for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently [it is glory]; for this is acceptable with God.

who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered did not threaten, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously;

For ye were going astray like sheep; but ye have now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

but the hidden man of the heart, in that which is imperishable, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but, on the contrary, blessing the evildoer; because for this end ye were called, that ye might inherit blessing.

For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are toward their supplication; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

But if ye even suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye. And be not afraid at their terrors, nor alarmed;

but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. And be ready always to give an answer to every one that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, but with meekness and fear;

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous one for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

which in its antitype, baptism, is now saving you,not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the earnest seeking for a good conscience toward God,by the resurrection of Jesus Christ;

that ye may no longer live the remaining time in the flesh after the lusts of men, but after the will of God.

For to this end was the gospel preached also to the dead, that they might indeed be judged according to men in the flesh, but might live according to God in the spirit.

But the end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

but, in so far as ye share in Christs sufferings, rejoice; that also at the manifestation of his glory ye may rejoice with exceeding joy.

but if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name.

For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God; but if it first begin with us, what will be the end of those who obey not the gospel of God?

tend the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it, not by constraint, but willingly; not for base gain, but with ready mind;

not as lording it over your allotted charge, but being examples to the flock;

In like manner, ye younger men, submit yourselves to the elder; and all of you be clothed with humility toward each other; for "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble."

But the God of all grace, who called you to his everlasting glory in Christ Jesus, will, after ye have suffered a while, himself make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.