To whom your love is given, though you have not seen him; and the faith which you have in him, though you do not see him now, gives you joy greater than words and full of glory:

And it was made clear to those prophets that they were God's servants not for themselves but for you, to give you word of the things which have now come to your ears from the preachers of the good news through the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; things which even angels have a desire to see.

Like children ruled by God, do not go back to the old desires of the time when you were without knowledge:

Being conscious that you have been made free from that foolish way of life which was your heritage from your fathers, not through a payment of things like silver or gold which come to destruction,

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.

To whom you come, as to a living stone, not honoured by men, but of great and special value to God;

Because it is said in the Writings, See, I am placing a keystone in Zion, of great and special value; and the man who has faith in him will not be put to shame.

In the past you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; then there was no mercy for you, but now mercy has been given to you.

As those who are free, not using your free position as a cover for wrongdoing, but living as the servants of God;

Servants, take orders from your masters with all respect; not only if they are good and gentle, but even if they are bad-humoured.

For it is a sign of grace if a man, desiring to do right in the eyes of God, undergoes pain as punishment for something which he has not done.

Do not let your ornaments be those of the body such as dressing of the hair, or putting on of jewels of gold or fair clothing;

As Sarah was ruled by Abraham, naming him lord; whose children you are if you do well, and are not put in fear by any danger.

And you husbands, give thought to your way of life with your wives, giving honour to the woman who is the feebler vessel, but who has an equal part in the heritage of the grace of life; so that you may not be kept from prayer.

Not giving back evil for evil, or curse for curse, but in place of cursing, blessing; because this is the purpose of God for you that you may have a heritage of blessing.

But you are happy if you undergo pain because of righteousness; have no part in their fear and do not be troubled;

And baptism, of which this is an image, now gives you salvation, not by washing clean the flesh, but by making you free from the sense of sin before God, through the coming again of Jesus Christ from the dead;

So that you may give the rest of your lives in the flesh, not to the desires of men, but to the purpose of God.

Dear brothers, do not be surprised, as if it was something strange, if your faith is tested as by fire:

For the time has come for the judging, starting with the church of God; but if it makes a start with us, what will be the end of those who are not under the rule of God?

Keep watch over the flock of God which is in your care, using your authority, not as forced to do so, but gladly; and not for unclean profit but with a ready mind;

Not as lords over God's heritage, but making yourselves examples to the flock.

Do not give way to him but be strong in your faith, in the knowledge that your brothers who are in the world undergo the same troubles.