"All mankind resemble the herbage, and all their beauty is like its flowers. The herbage dries up, and its flowers drop off;

Thirst, like newly-born infants, for pure milk for the soul, that by it you may grow up to salvation;

And be yourselves also like living stones that are being built up into a spiritual house, to become a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

For you were straying like lost sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Protector of your souls.

Curb every passion, and be on the alert. Your great accuser, the Devil, is going about like a roaring lion to see whom he can devour.

The Church in Babylon, chosen like yourselves by God, sends greetings, and so does Mark my son.