Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect (according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father) thro' sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. Grace and peace be multiplied to you.

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

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, tho' now for a little while (if need be) ye are in heaviness thro' manifold temptations.

That the trial of your faith, which is much more precious than gold, (that perisheth, tho' it be tried with fire) may be found unto praise, and honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

To whom it was revealed, that not for themselves, but for us they ministered the things which have been now declared to you by them that have preached the gospel to you, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven: which things angels desire to look into.

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be watchful and hope perfectly for the grace that is brought you by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

For it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear:

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

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

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass: The grass is withered, and the flower thereof is fallen off;

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which is preached to you by the gospel.

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

as sent by him, for the punishment of evil-doers, and the praise of them that do well.

For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free,

yet not having your liberty for a cloak of wickedness, but as the servants of God.

Honour all men, Love the brotherhood, Fear God,

Honour the king, Servants be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

For this is thank worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

For what glory is it, if when ye commit faults and are buffeted, ye take it patiently? But if when ye do well and suffer, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

For even hereunto are ye called; for Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye might follow his steps:

For ye were as sheep going astray, but are now returned to the shepherd and bishop of your souls.

Beholding your chaste conversation joined with fear:

For thus the holy women also of old time who trusted in God, adorned themselves,

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are called to this, to inherit a blessing.

For he that loveth life and desireth to 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 to their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

But even if ye do suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye; and be not afraid of their terror, neither be ye troubled, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:

And be always ready to give an answer to every one that asketh 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 ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing.

For Christ also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh,

Seeing then Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind:

(for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin) That ye may no longer live the rest of your time in the flesh, to the desire of men, but to the will of God.

For the time past of your life sufficeth to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when ye walked in lasciviousness, evil desires, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries.

For to this end was the gospel preached to them that are dead also, 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 to each other; for love will cover a multitude of sins.

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God: if any man minister, let him minister as of the ability which God giveth, that God in all things may be glorified thro' Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the might for ever and ever. Amen.

Beloved, wonder not at the burning which is among you, which is for your trial, as if some strange thing befell you: But as ye partake of the sufferings of Christ,

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

For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: but if it begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Feed the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy gain, but of a ready mind,

In like manner, ye younger, submit yourselves to the elder, and be ye all subject to each other. Be ye cloathed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

for your adversary the devil, walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour:

To him be the glory and the might for ever and ever. Amen.