In which ye rejoice, tho' now for a little while, if need be, ye are grieved through various trials.

whom having not seen ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing ye rejoice with joy ineffable and full of glory; receiving the end of your faith,

to whom it was revealed, that it was not to themselves, but to us they ministered these things, which are now declared unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you, through the holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts in your ignorance:

knowing that ye were redeemed from your vain conversation learned by tradition from your fathers, not with corruptible things, as silver and gold;

being regenerated not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever.

Whence also it is said in scripture, Behold I lay in Sion a chief corner-stone, choice and precious: and he that confideth on it shall not be ashamed.

who heretofore were not a people, but are now the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

as free, and yet not using your liberty as a cloke for wickedness, but as the servants of God.

Ye who are servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and mild, but also to the morose:

who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously.

Ye women likewise, be subject to your own husbands, that if any believe not the word, they may yet without the word be gained over by the deportment of the wives,

Whose adorning, let it not be that without, of plaiting the hair, and putting on of gold, or wearing fine clothes;

whose daughters ye are, if ye do well, and are not terrified with any sinful fear.

Ye husbands likewise, dwell with them according to knowledge, yielding due respect to the wife as the weaker vessel, and as joint-heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

not returning evil for evil, or reproach for reproach: but on the contrary blessing even those that curse you: knowing ye are called unto this, that ye may obtain a blessing.

But if ye should even suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye: and therefore be not afraid of their menaces, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:

The resemblance of which, even baptism, doth also now save us, (not the outward cleansing of filth from the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

in which they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, and therefore speak evil of you:

Beloved, be not surprised at the fiery trial coming upon you, which is to try you, as if some strange thing befel you:

But if any suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God herein.

For the time is coming when judgement is to begin at the house of God: and if at us first, what will be the end of those that obey not the gospel of God?

taking the episcopal charge of it, not by constraint, but willingly; not for shameful lucre, but with a ready mind: