You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy,

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Angels desire to look into these things.

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance.

For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold,

since you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God.

Once you were not a people,
but now you are God’s people;
you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.

Household slaves, submit with all fear to your masters, not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel.

He did not commit sin,
and no deceit was found in His mouth;

when He was reviled,
He did not revile in return;
when He was suffering,
He did not threaten
but entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly.

Your beauty should not consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold ornaments or fine clothes.

Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives with an understanding of their weaker nature yet showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing.

But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed,

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name.

Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will; not for the money but eagerly;

not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.