In such a hope keep on rejoicing, although for a little while you must be sorrow-stricken with various trials,

So make your minds ready, and keep on the watch, hoping with all your power for the grace which is to come to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Keep on coming to Him, as to a living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious in His sight,

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

a stone they stumble over and a rock they trip on." They keep on stumbling because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

Beloved, I call upon you, as strangers and sojourners, to keep from the fleshly desires, that war against the soul,

Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Keep all the laws of men because of the Lord; those of the king, who is over all,

Honor everyone. Keep on loving the community of believers, fearing God, and honoring the king.

Do not pay others back evil for evil or insult for insult. Instead, keep blessing them, because you were called to inherit a blessing.

For,“The one who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not],
Must keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from speaking guile (treachery, deceit).

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

and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.

The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.]

Above all, keep your love for one another constant, because love covers a large number of sins.

Keep open house for all with a glad heart;

As all of you have received your spiritual talents, you must keep on using them in serving one another, as good trustees of God's many-sided favor.

Instead, because you are participating in the sufferings of the Messiah, keep on rejoicing, so that you may be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.

but if anyone suffers for being a Christian, he must not be ashamed of it, but should keep on praising God for bearing this name.

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;

Be serious and keep watch; the Evil One, who is against you, goes about like a lion with open mouth in search of food;

Resist him; keep your foothold in the faith, and learn to pay the same tax of suffering as the rest of your brotherhood throughout the world.

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.