You must love him, though you have not seen him, but since you believe in him though you do not now see him, rejoice with triumphant, unutterable joy

It was disclosed to them that they were serving not themselves but you in dealing with these things, which have now been told you by those who through the holy Spirit sent from heaven brought you the good news; things into which angels long to look!

but like the holy Being who has called you, you must also prove holy in all your conduct,

but with precious blood, like that of an unblemished, spotless lamb, the blood of Christ,

who was predestined for this before the foundation of the world, but was revealed only at the end of the ages,

for you have been born anew from a germ not perishable, but imperishable, through the message of the living, everlasting God.

But the word of the Lord will last forever," that is, the good news that has been brought to you.

Come to him, as to a living stone rejected by men, but chosen and prized in the sight of God,

It is you, therefore, who believe who see its value, but for men who do not believe, "The stone which the builders refused has been made a cornerstone,"

But you are the chosen race, the royal priesthood, the consecrated nation, his own people, so that you may declare the virtues of him who has called you out of darkness into his wonderful light;

you who were once "no people" but are now "God's people"; once "unpitied" but now "pitied indeed."

Live like free men, only do not make your freedom an excuse for doing wrong, but be slaves of God.

You servants must be submissive to your masters and perfectly respectful to them; not only to those who are kind and considerate, but also to those who are unreasonable.

For God approves a man if from a sense of duty he endures suffering unjustly inflicted??20 for what credit is there in your enduring being beaten for doing wrong? But if you endure suffering for doing what is right, you have God's approval.

He was abused but he did not retort. He suffered but he did not threaten, but committed his case to him who judges justly.

For you were astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

For the eyes of the Lord are upon upright men, And his ears are open to their entreaty, But the Lord's face is set against men that do wrong."

Even if you should suffer for uprightness, you are blessed. But do not be afraid of them, nor be troubled,

but reverence Christ in your hearts as Lord, and always be ready to make your defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that you have. But do so gently and respectfully,

For Christ himself died once for all, for sin, an upright man for unrighteous men, to bring us to God, and was physically put to death, but he was made alive in the Spirit.

Baptism, which corresponds to it, now saves you also (not as the mere removing of physical stain, but as the craving for a conscience right with God)??hrough the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

and no longer lives by what men desire, but for the rest of his earthly life by what God wills.

but they will have to answer for it to him who is ready to judge living and dead.

But the end of all things is near. Be serious and collected, therefore, and pray.

but be glad that you are in a measure sharing the sufferings of the Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may be triumphantly happy.

but if a man suffers for being a Christian, he must not be ashamed of it, but must do honor to God through that name.

I appeal therefore to those who are elders among you; I am their brother-elder and a witness to what the Christ suffered, and I am to share in the glory that is to be revealed??2 be shepherds of the flock of God that is among you, not as though it were forced upon you but of your own free will, and not from base love of gain but freely,

and not as tyrannizing over those in your charge but proving models for the flock;

You younger men must show deference to the elders. And you must all clothe yourselves in humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud, but shows mercy to the humble.