And it was revealed to them that it was not for themselves, but for you, that they were acting as Ministers of the truths which have now been told to you, by those who, with the help of the Holy Spirit sent from Heaven, have brought you the Good News--truths into which even angels long to look.

but in your whole life show yourselves to be holy, after the pattern of the Holy One from whom you received your Call.

but by precious blood, as it were of a lamb, unblemished and spotless, the Blood of Christ.

since your new Life has come, not from perishable, but imperishable, seed, through the Message of the Everliving God.

For-- 'All earthly life is but as grass, And all its splendor as the flower of grass. The grass fades, Its flower falls,

But the teaching of the Lord remains for ever.' And that is the Teaching of the Good News which has been told to you.

Come to Him, then, as to a living stone, rejected, indeed, by men, but in God's eyes choice and precious;

It is to you, then, who believe in him that he is precious, but to those who do not believe he is 'a stone which, though rejected by the builders, has now itself become the corner-stone,'

But you are 'a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, God's own People,' entrusted with the proclamation of the goodness of him who called you out of Darkness into his wonderful Light.

Once you were 'not a people,' but now you are 'God's People'; once you 'had not found mercy,' but now you 'have found mercy.'

Act as free men, yet not using your freedom as those do who make it a cloak for wickedness, but as Servants of God.

Those of you who are domestic servants should always be submissive and respectful to their masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are arbitrary.

What credit can you claim when, after doing wrong, you take your punishment for it patiently? But, on the other hand, if, after doing right, you take your sufferings patiently, that does win the approval of God.

He was abused, but he did not answer with abuse; he suffered, but he did not threaten; he entrusted himself to him whose judgments are just.

Once you were straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

but the inner life with the imperishable beauty of a quiet and gentle spirit; for this is very precious in God's sight.

never returning evil for evil, or abuse for abuse, but, on the contrary, blessing. It was to this that you were called--to obtain a blessing!

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And his ears are attentive to their prayers, But the face of the Lord is set against those who do wrong.'

Revere the Christ as Lord in your hearts; always ready to give an answer to any one who asks your reason for the hope that you cherish, but giving it humbly and in all reverence,

For Christ himself died to atone for sins once for all--the good on behalf of the bad--that he might bring you to God; his body being put to death, but his spirit entering upon new Life.

And baptism, which this foreshadowed, now saves you--not the mere cleansing of the body, but the search of a clear conscience after God--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

and so will live the rest of his earthly life guided, not by human passions, but by the will of God.

But they will have to answer for their conduct to him who is ready to judge both the living and the dead.

But the end of all things is near. Therefore exercise self-restraint and be calm, that you may be able to pray.

But, if a man suffers as a Christian, do not let him be ashamed of it; let him bring honour to God even though he bears that name.

I urge you to be true shepherds of the flock of God among you, not because you are compelled, but of your own free will; not from a base love of gain, but with a ready spirit;

not as lords of your charges, but as examples to your flock.

Again, you younger men should show deference to the older. And all of you should put on the badge of humility in mutual service, for 'God is opposed to the proud, but gives his help to the humble.'