To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you,

In which you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold trials:

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Because it is written, You will be holy; for I am holy.

And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your exile here in fear:

Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away:

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

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

Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.

For this is commendable, if a man for conscience toward God endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

For what glory is it, if, when you be buffeted for your faults, you shall take it patiently? but if, when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is commendable with God.

For even to this were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps:

For you were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

While they behold your chaste behavior coupled with fear.

For after this manner in former times the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but on the contrary blessing; knowing that you are unto this called, that you should inherit a blessing.

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

But if you suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are you: and, Be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that you suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit:

Since therefore Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin;

For the time past of our life will suffice us to have done the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in licentiousness, lusts, excess of wine, reveling, carousing, and abominable idolatries:

For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

And above all things have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover a multitude of sins.

If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begins with us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for dishonest gain, but of a ready mind;

Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.

Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.