to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and unfading, reserved in the heavens for you,

that the proof of your faith -- much more precious than of gold that is perishing, and through fire being approved -- may be found to praise, and honour, and glory, in the revelation of Jesus Christ,

and if on the Father ye do call, who without acceptance of persons is judging according to the work of each, in fear the time of your sojourn pass ye,

to you, then, who are believing is the preciousness; and to the unbelieving, a stone that the builders disapproved of, this one did become for the head of a corner,

whether to governors, as to those sent through him, for punishment, indeed, of evil-doers, and a praise of those doing good;

as free, and not having the freedom as the cloak of the evil, but as servants of God;

to all give ye honour; the brotherhood love ye; God fear ye; the king honour ye.

The domestics! be subjecting yourselves in all fear to the masters, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the cross;

for this is gracious, if because of conscience toward God any one doth endure sorrows, suffering unrighteously;

for what renown is it, if sinning and being buffeted, ye do endure it? but if, doing good and suffering for it, ye do endure, this is gracious with God,

for to this ye were called, because Christ also did suffer for you, leaving to you an example, that ye may follow his steps,

for ye were as sheep going astray, but ye turned back now to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.

having beheld your pure behaviour in fear,

for thus once also the holy women who did hope on God, were adorning themselves, being subject to their own husbands,

not giving back evil for evil, or railing for railing, and on the contrary, blessing, having known that to this ye were called, that a blessing ye may inherit;

for 'he who is willing to love life, and to see good days, let him guard his tongue from evil, and his lips -- not to speak guile;

but if ye also should suffer because of righteousness, happy are ye! and of their fear be not afraid, nor be troubled,

and the Lord God sanctify in your hearts. And be ready always for defence to every one who is asking of you an account concerning the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

for it is better doing good, if the will of God will it, to suffer, than doing evil;

because also Christ once for sin did suffer -- righteous for unrighteous -- that he might lead us to God, having been put to death indeed, in the flesh, and having been made alive in the spirit,

Christ, then, having suffered for us in the flesh, ye also with the same mind arm yourselves, because he who did suffer in the flesh hath done with sin,

for sufficient to us is the past time of life the will of the nations to have wrought, having walked in lasciviousnesses, desires, excesses of wines, revellings, drinking-bouts, and unlawful idolatries,

for for this also to dead men was good news proclaimed, that they may be judged, indeed, according to men in the flesh, and may live according to God in the spirit.

for let none of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evil-doer, or as an inspector into other men's matters;

feed the flock of God that is among you, overseeing not constrainedly, but willingly, neither for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind,

all your care having cast upon Him, because He careth for you.