Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the foreign-born Jews who are scattered over Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

Rejoice over this, although just now perhaps distressed by various trials;

and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense. They stumble over it because they are disobeying God's word, and to this they were also appointed.

Keep your behavior excellent among the [unsaved] Gentiles [conduct yourself honorably, with graciousness and integrity], so that for whatever reason they may slander you as evildoers, yet by observing your good deeds they may [instead come to] glorify God in the day of visitation [when He looks upon them with mercy].

Keep all the laws of men because of the Lord; those of the king, who is over all,

who, when reviled, reviled not again; when suffering, threatened not; but gave himself over into the hands of him who judges righteously;

Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls.

In the same way you wives must be submissive to your own husbands; so that if some of them will not believe the message, they may apart from the message be won over by the behavior of their wives,

just as Sarah obeyed Abraham [following him and having regard for him as head of their house], calling him lord. And you have become her daughters if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear [that is, being respectful toward your husband but not giving in to intimidation, nor allowing yourself to be led into sin, nor to be harmed].

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

However, if you suffer in the cause of virtue, it is your happiness: and instead of being over-awed by their threats, and struck with concern,

For the time of life passed over sufficient for us to have wrought the will of the nations, having gone in licentiousness, eager desires, drunkenness, revellings, drinkings, and criminal idolatries:

Above all continue to love one another fervently, for love throws a veil over a multitude of faults.

Let no one among you undergo punishment as a taker of life, or as a thief, or as an evil-doer, or as one who is over-interested in other men's business;

Tend ye the flock of God among you, watching over, not by obligation, but willingly, nor greedily, but readily,

neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.

Resist him and be strong in faith, because you know that your brotherhood all over the world is experiencing the same sort of sufferings.

May God have total authority over everything [including your circumstances] forever. May it be so.