according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy became our father again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials,

that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ --

To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be sober and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ --

but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior;

because it is written, "You shall be holy; for I am holy."

who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.

coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious.

You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Because it is contained in Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen, and precious: He who believes in him will not be disappointed."

having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.

or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well.

For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked.

who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.

In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don't obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word;

Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing;

as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are, if you do well, and are not put in fear by any terror.

You husbands, in the same way, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered.

Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous,

But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "Don't fear what they fear, neither be troubled."

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear:

having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ.

For to this end the Good News was preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed as men in the flesh, but live as to God in the spirit.

But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.

And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Beloved, don't be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you.

But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.

"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?"

I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed.

Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.