To whom it was revealed, that not for themselves, but for us they ministered the things which have been now declared to you by them that have preached the gospel to you, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven: which things angels desire to look into.

But as he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation:

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot,

Who verily was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was manifested in these last times for you,

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever.

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which is preached to you by the gospel.

but chosen of God and precious, Ye also as living stones are built up, a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God thro' Jesus Christ.

Therefore to you who believe, he is precious: but to them who believe not, The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner.

But ye are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a purchased people, that ye may shew forth the virtues of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Who in time past were not a people, but now are the people of God;

who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free,

yet not having your liberty for a cloak of wickedness, but as the servants of God.

Honour the king, Servants be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

For what glory is it, if when ye commit faults and are buffeted, ye take it patiently? But if when ye do well and suffer, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

Who when he was reviled, reviled not again, when he suffered he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

For ye were as sheep going astray, but are now returned to the shepherd and bishop of your souls.

Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of curling the hair, and of wearing gold, or of putting on apparel, But the hidden man of the heart,

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are called to this, to inherit a blessing.

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

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

For Christ also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh,

but raised to life by the spirit, By which likewise he went and preached to the spirits in prison,

The antitype whereof, baptism, now saveth us, (not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

(for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin) That ye may no longer live the rest of your time in the flesh, to the desire of men, but to the will of God.

For to this end was the gospel preached to them that are dead also, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit.

But the end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

Beloved, wonder not at the burning which is among you, which is for your trial, as if some strange thing befell you: But as ye partake of the sufferings of Christ,

If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil-spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other mens matters,

Yet if any suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: but if it begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Feed the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy gain, but of a ready mind,

Neither as lording over the heritage, but being examples to the flock.