to enjoy an inheritance immortal, and undefiled, and that perisheth not; reserved in heaven for you

in the which time ye shall rejoice, though now for a season - if need require - ye are in heaviness, through manifold temptations,

whom ye have not seen and yet love him, in whom even now, though ye see him not, yet ye believe, and rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorious:

Unto which prophets it was declared, that not unto themselves, but unto us, they should minister the things which are now showed unto you, of them which, by the holy ghost sent down from heaven, have preached unto you the things which the angels desire to behold.

as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves unto your old lusts of ignorance:

Forasmuch as ye know how that ye were not redeemed with corruptible gold and silver from your vain conversation, which ye received by the traditions of the fathers,

for ye are born anew, not of mortal seed, but of immortal seed, by the word of God which liveth, and lasteth forever.

Wherefore it is contained in the scripture, "Behold, I put in Zion a head cornerstone, elect and precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

Unto you therefore which believe is he precious: but unto them which believe not, the stone which the builders refused, the same is made the headstone in the corner

and a stone to stumble at, and a rock to offend them which stumble at the word, and believe not that whereon they were set.

which in time past were not a people, yet are now the people of God, which were not under mercy: but now have obtained mercy.

as free, and not as having the liberty for a cloak of maliciousness: but even as the servants of God.

Servants obey your masters with all fear, not only if they be good and courteous: but also though they be froward.

which when he was reviled, reviled not again: when he suffered, he threatened not: but committed the cause to him that judgeth righteously,

Likewise, let the wives be in subjection to their husbands, that even they which believe not the word, may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives:

Whose apparel shall not be outward with broided hair, and hanging on of gold, other in putting on of gorgeous apparel:

even as Sara obeyed Abraham and called him "Lord" - whose daughters ye are as long as ye do well, not being afraid of every shadow.

Likewise, ye men, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as unto them that are heirs also of the grace of life, that your prayers be not let.

not rendering evil for evil, neither rebuke for rebuke: but contrariwise, bless: remembering that ye are thereunto called, even that ye should be heirs of blessing.

If any man long after life, and loveth to see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips, that they speak not guile:

Notwithstanding, happy are ye if ye suffer for righteousness' sake. Yea, and fear not though they seem terrible unto you, neither be troubled:

which signifieth baptism that now saveth us, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but in that a good conscience consenteth to God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

that he henceforward should live as much time as remaineth in the flesh, not after the lusts of men: but after the will of God.

And it seemeth to them a strange thing that ye run not also with them unto the same excess of riot, and therefore speak they evil of you,

Dearly beloved, be not troubled in this heat, which now is come among you to try you, as though some strange thing had happened unto you:

If any man suffer as a Christian man, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify God on his behalf.

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God. If it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them which believe not the gospel of God?

see that ye feed Christ's flock, which is among you, taking the oversight of them: not as though ye were compelled thereto, but willingly; Not for the desire of filthy lucre, but of a good mind.

Not as though ye were lords over the parishes: but that ye be an example to the flock.

Likewise, ye younger submit yourselves unto the elder. Submit yourselves every man, one to another. Knit yourselves together in lowliness of mind. For God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble.