and into an inheritance imperishable and undefiled and fadeless, which has been kept in heaven for you

who, through faith, are continuously guarded by the power of God for a salvation, ready to be revealed in the last days.

Exult in this, though now for a brief moment, if need be, you have suffered many hardships.

These are in order that the test of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable and yet is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor, at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Concerning this salvation the Prophets who prophesied regarding the grace intended for you, diligently sought and searched.

It was revealed to them that it was not for themselves, but for you, that they were ministering the truths which have now been announced to you, by those who preached the gospel to you, through the help of the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven??ruths into which angels long to look.

For you well know that not with perishable things, with silver or gold, were you redeemed from the emptiness of your manner of life, received by tradition from your ancestors;

He was indeed foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of the times for your sake.

Now that by obedience to the truth you have purified your lives for a brotherly love without hypocrisy, you must love one another from your hearts, fervently.

For you have been born anew, not of perishable, but of imperishable seed, by the living, lasting word of God.

For, All flesh is grass And all its glory like the flower of the grass. The grass fades, The flower falls,

Like new-born babes long for the pure spiritual milk to make you grow up into salvation;

For, as Scripture says. Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner-stone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him shall never be put to shame.

For you, then, that believe, is the preciousness; but for those who do not believe, A stone which the builders rejected, The same has become the head stone of the corner,

Submit yourselves, for the Lord's sake, to every human authority; whether it be to the Emperor as supreme ruler,

or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and for the encouragement of well-doers.

For it is the will of God that by well-doing you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

Live like free men; and yet do not make your freedom a cloak for misconduct, but be the slaves of God.

For it is an acceptable thing to God, if from a sense of duty to him, a man endures a wrong, even suffering unjustly.

For what credit is it if, when you are struck for a fault, you take it patiently? But if when you are doing well and suffer for it, you always take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

For this is your calling; because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his footsteps;

For you were straying like lost sheep, but you are now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

For in this way in the olden time the holy women also, who put their trust in God, used to adorn themselves. They were ever in submission to their own husbands;

thus, for example, Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are daughters of Sarah, if you do what is right, and permit nothing to make you afraid.

not paying back evil for evil or abuse for abuse, but on the contrary giving a blessing. Because for this you have been called??o inherit a blessing.

For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And his ears are open to their cry; But the face of the Lord is set against evil-doers.

Yet who will harm you if you become zealous for the good?

But consecrate Christ in your hearts, as Lord. Be always in readiness to make and answer to any one who asks you a reason for the hope that is within you, yet with gentleness and reverence.

For it is better that you suffer for doing right, if such be God's will, than for doing wrong;

because Christ also once for all suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but make alive in spirit.

Baptism, the counterpart of that, now saves you (not the washing off of the filth of the flesh, but the prayer for a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

For the time past of life may suffice us to have worked the will of the Gentiles, when we spent our life in lasciviousness, lusts, hard drinking, revelry, banqueting, and abominable idol worship.

The gospel was preached for this cause to those who were dead also, that they might be judged according to men in flesh, but live according to God in spirit.

Above everything have fervent love to one another; for love veils a multitude of sins.

Whatever the gifts which each has received, use them for one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

If any one preaches, let him always preach as one who utters God's truth; if any one serves another, let it be with the strength which God supplies; so that in every way God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and dominion for ever and ever, Amen.

If you are being reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the spirit of glory and of God is resting upon you.

It is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it first begin with us, what shall be the end of those who are disobedient to the gospel?

Now to you who are presbyters I make this appeal; for I am myself a presbyter, and was a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory about to be revealed.

Be shepherds to your flock of God; take charge of them willingly, and not through compulsion; not for filthy lucre, but with a willing mind;

You younger men must submit to the presbyters; and all of you must put on the garment of humility and serve one another, for God resists the haughty, But gives grace to the humble.

Cast all your care upon him, for he ever cares for you.