Whoever speaks must speak God's words. Whoever serves must serve with the strength that God supplies, so that in every way God may be glorified through Jesus, the Messiah. Glory and power belong to him forever and ever! Amen.

Be shepherds of God's flock that is among you, watching over it, not because you must but because you want to, and not greedily but eagerly, as God desires.

Through faith you are being protected by God's power for a salvation that is ready to be revealed at the end of this era.

As you come to him, the living stone who was rejected by people but was chosen and precious in God's sight,

For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God's servants.

What good does it do if, when you sin, you patiently receive punishment for it? But if you suffer for doing good and receive it patiently, you have God's approval.

As good servant managers of God's grace in its various forms, serve one another with the gift each of you has received.

So then, those who suffer according to God's will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do what is good.