elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by sanctification of the Spirit, that they might be brought to the obedience, and sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ: grace unto you and peace be multiplied.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto an animating hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

who are guarded by the omnipotence of God, through faith to obtain the salvation which is ready to appear at the last time.

who by him believe in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the quickening word of God, and which abideth for ever.

Whom approaching, as the living stone, rejected indeed of men, but elect of God, and honourable,

ye also, as living stones, are built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices, well pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.

who in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God; who had not obtained mercy, but are now the objects of mercy.

having your conduct ornamental among the Gentiles: that, whereas they malign you as wicked doers, they may, being eye-witnesses of your good works, glorify God in the day when he visits them.

For such is the will of God, that by well doing ye hold under restraint the ignorance of foolish men:

as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for wicked practices; but as being servants of God.

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but even to the froward.

For this is gracious conduct, if for conscience towards God, any man undergo sorrows, suffering wrongfully.

For what glory would there be, if committing faults, and being buffeted, ye suffered patiently? but if, when ye behave well, yet suffer, ye bear it patiently, this is graciously accepted of God.

but let it be the hidden man of the heart, with that incorruptible ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God highly valuable.

For so in times of old the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands;

"For he that would love life, and see good days, let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile.

Let him depart from every wicked thing, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it."

And who will do you harm if ye be imitators of him that is good?

but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be always ready with your reply to every man who demands a reason respecting the hope which is in you with meekness and fear:

keeping a good conscience; that whereas they malign you, as evil doers, they may be confounded who take pleasure in ridiculing your good conduct in Christ.

For it is better (if it be God's will) to suffer as well doers than as evil doers.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, put to death indeed in the flesh, but raised to life by the Spirit:

who in time of old were disobedient, when the long suffering of God in the days of Noe waited, while the ark was preparing, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were preserved through the water.

The antitype to which baptism now saveth us (not the mere removal of filth from the flesh, but the engagement of a good conscience to God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

who is at the right hand of God, gone into heaven, angels and dominations and powers being put in subjection under him.

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

Let every one, according as he hath received a gift, minister it to others, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

If any man speak, let it be agreeably to the oracles of God; if any man act as a deacon, let it be from the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory and might for ever and ever. Amen.

If ye suffer reproach for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: by them indeed he is blasphemed, but by you he is glorified.

But if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him give glory to God on this very account.

For now is the time when judgment is commencing at the house of God; and if it begin with us, what will be the end of those who obey not the gospel of God?

Wherefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to him in well-doing as to the faithful Creator.

feed the flock of God which is among you, exercising your pastoral office not of necessity, but of choice, not for base gain, but with alacrity of mind;

In like manner, ye who are younger persons, be in subjection to your elders: but all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed from head to foot with humility: for God sets himself in opposition to the proud, but he giveth grace to the lowly.

Humble yourselves therefore beneath the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due season:

But the God of all grace, who hath called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, when ye have suffered a little while, himself perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I think, I have written to you a few words, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye are standing fast.