Who, through the purpose of God, have been made holy by the Spirit, disciples of Jesus, made clean by his blood: May you have grace and peace in full measure.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who through his great mercy has given us a new birth and a living hope by the coming again of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Who, by the power of God are kept, through faith, for that salvation, which will be seen at the last day.

And it was made clear to those prophets that they were God's servants not for themselves but for you, to give you word of the things which have now come to your ears from the preachers of the good news through the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; things which even angels have a desire to see.

Like children ruled by God, do not go back to the old desires of the time when you were without knowledge:

Who was marked out by God before the making of the world, but was caused to be seen in these last times for you,

Who through him have faith in God who took him up again from the dead into glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.

Because you have had a new birth, not from the seed of man, but from eternal seed, through the word of a living and unchanging God.

But the word of the Lord is eternal. And this is the word of the good news which was given to you.

To whom you come, as to a living stone, not honoured by men, but of great and special value to God;

You, as living stones, are being made into a house of the spirit, a holy order of priests, making those offerings of the spirit which are pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.

And, A stone of falling, a rock of trouble; the word is the cause of their fall, because they go against it, and this was the purpose of God.

But you are a special people, a holy nation, priests and kings, a people given up completely to God, so that you may make clear the virtues of him who took you out of the dark into the light of heaven.

In the past you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; then there was no mercy for you, but now mercy has been given to you.

Being of good behaviour among the Gentiles; so that though they say now that you are evil-doers, they may see your good works and give glory to God when he comes to be their judge.

Because it is God's pleasure that foolish and narrow-minded men may be put to shame by your good behaviour:

As those who are free, not using your free position as a cover for wrongdoing, but living as the servants of God;

Have respect for all, loving the brothers, fearing God, honouring the king.

Servants, take orders from your masters with all respect; not only if they are good and gentle, but even if they are bad-humoured.

For it is a sign of grace if a man, desiring to do right in the eyes of God, undergoes pain as punishment for something which he has not done.

What credit is it if, when you have done evil, you take your punishment quietly? but if you are given punishment for doing right, and take it quietly, this is pleasing to God.

This is God's purpose for you: because Jesus himself underwent punishment for you, giving you an example, so that you might go in his footsteps:

When they see your holy behaviour in the fear of God.

But let them be those of the unseen man of the heart, the ever-shining ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great price in the eyes of God.

And these were the ornaments of the holy women of the past, whose hope was in God, being ruled by their husbands:

Not giving back evil for evil, or curse for curse, but in place of cursing, blessing; because this is the purpose of God for you that you may have a heritage of blessing.

For it is said, Let the man who has a love of life, desiring to see good days, keep his tongue from evil and his lips from words of deceit:

And let him be turned from evil and do good; searching for peace and going after it with all his heart.

Who will do you any damage if you keep your minds fixed on what is good?

Being conscious that you have done no wrong; so that those who say evil things about your good way of life as Christians may be put to shame.

Because if it is God's purpose for you to undergo pain, it is better to do so for well-doing than for evil-doing.

Because Christ once went through pain for sins, the upright one taking the place of sinners, so that through him we might come back to God; being put to death in the flesh, but given life in the Spirit;

Who, in the days of Noah, went against God's orders; but God in his mercy kept back the punishment, while Noah got ready the ark, in which a small number, that is to say eight persons, got salvation through water:

And baptism, of which this is an image, now gives you salvation, not by washing clean the flesh, but by making you free from the sense of sin before God, through the coming again of Jesus Christ from the dead;

Who has gone into heaven, and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been put under his rule.

So that you may give the rest of your lives in the flesh, not to the desires of men, but to the purpose of God.

For this was the reason why the good news of Jesus was given even to the dead, so that they might be judged as men in the flesh, but might be living before God in the spirit.

Making distribution among one another of whatever has been given to you, like true servants of the unmeasured grace of God;

If anyone has anything to say, let it be as the words of God; if anyone has the desire to be the servant of others, let him do it in the strength which is given by God; so that in all things God may have the glory through Jesus Christ, whose are the glory and the power for ever.

If men say evil things of you because of the name of Christ, happy are you; for the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you.

But if he undergoes punishment as a Christian, that is no shame to him; let him give glory to God in this name.

For the time has come for the judging, starting with the church of God; but if it makes a start with us, what will be the end of those who are not under the rule of God?

And if it is hard for even the good man to get salvation, what chance has the man without religion or the sinner?

For this reason let those who by the purpose of God undergo punishment, keep on in well-doing and put their souls into the safe hands of their Maker.

Keep watch over the flock of God which is in your care, using your authority, not as forced to do so, but gladly; and not for unclean profit but with a ready mind;

Not as lords over God's heritage, but making yourselves examples to the flock.

And in the same way, let the younger men be ruled by the older ones. Let all of you put away pride and make yourselves ready to be servants: for God is a hater of pride, but he gives grace to those who make themselves low.

For this cause make yourselves low under the strong hand of God, so that when the time comes you may be lifted up;

And after you have undergone pain for a little time, the God of all grace who has given you a part in his eternal glory through Christ Jesus, will himself give you strength and support, and make you complete in every good thing;

I have sent you this short letter by Silvanus, a true brother, in my opinion; comforting you and witnessing that this is the true grace of God; keep to it.

She who is in Babylon, who has a part with you in the purpose of God, sends you her love; and so does my son Mark.