according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by being set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with Jesus Christ's blood. May grace and peace be yours in full measure!

that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you,

who by God's power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials.

Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold -- gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away -- and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

They probed into what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified beforehand about the sufferings appointed for Christ and his subsequent glory.

Therefore, get your minds ready for action by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

for it is written, "You shall be holy, because I am holy."

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last times for your sake.

For all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of the grass; the grass withers and the flower falls off,

And yearn like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation,

For it says in scripture, "Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and priceless cornerstone, and whoever believes in him will never be put to shame."

So you who believe see his value, but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,

Be subject to every human institution for the Lord's sake, whether to a king as supreme

For God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.

Live as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God's slaves.

Honor all people, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the king.

For this finds God's favor, if because of conscience toward God someone endures hardships in suffering unjustly.

For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God.

For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed.

For you were going astray like sheep but now you have turned back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

For in the same way the holy women who hoped in God long ago adorned themselves by being subject to their husbands,

like Sarah who obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You become her children when you do what is good and have no fear in doing so.

Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.

For the one who wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from uttering deceit.

For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the Lord's face is against those who do evil.

For who is going to harm you if you are devoted to what is good?

But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. But do not be terrified of them or be shaken.

For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, than for doing evil.

Because Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring you to God, by being put to death in the flesh but by being made alive in the spirit.

For the time that has passed was sufficient for you to do what the non-Christians desire. You lived then in debauchery, evil desires, drunkenness, carousing, drinking bouts, and wanton idolatries.

Now it was for this very purpose that the gospel was preached to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh by human standards they may live spiritually by God's standards.

For the culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer.

Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins.

Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you.

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, who is the Spirit of God, rests on you.

For it is time for judgment to begin, starting with the house of God. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate of those who are disobedient to the gospel of God?

Give a shepherd's care to God's flock among you, exercising oversight not merely as a duty but willingly under God's direction, not for shameful profit but eagerly.

by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you.

Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour.

And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.