You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials

To them it was revealed that they were serving not themselves but you, when they foretold the very things which have now been openly declared to you by those who, having been taught by the Holy Spirit which had been sent from Heaven, brought you the Good News. Angels long to stoop and look into these things.

As obedient children, do not pattern your lives after the evil desires you formerly had when you were ignorant,

knowing, as you do, that it was not with a ransom of perishable wealth, such as silver or gold, that you were set free from your frivolous habits of life which had been handed down to you from your forefathers,

Because you have had a new birth, not from the seed of man, but from eternal seed, through the word of a living and unchanging God.

If you have had a taste of the grace of the Lord:

who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls.

who in old times had been disobedient, when God's longsuffering was waiting in the days of Noah, while an ark was building, in which a few persons??ight in number??ere saved by water.)

who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

Therefore, since Christ has suffered physically, you people should fortify yourselves with the same attitude He had. For the person who has suffered physically [i.e., in standing for Christ] has quit sinning.

This is the purpose that the Gospel was preached to those who have died physically [for the faith]: It was so that, even though they had been judged physically [i.e., by suffering death at the hands of men], they could still live spiritually in the presence of God.

Do not think it strange, beloved, that a fiery ordeal has come to test you, as though some surprising thing had befallen you.

be shepherds of the flock of God that is among you, not as though you had to but of your own free will, not from the motive of personal profit but freely,