It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Angels desire to look into these things.

But as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct;

but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.

He was chosen before the foundation of the world but was revealed at the end of the times for you

since you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God.

but the word of the Lord endures forever.

And this is the word that was preached as the gospel to you.

Coming to Him, a living stone—rejected by men but chosen and valuable to God—

For it is contained in Scripture:

Look! I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and honored cornerstone,
and the one who believes in Him
will never be put to shame!

So honor will come to you who believe, but for the unbelieving,

The stone that the builders rejected—
this One has become the cornerstone,

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people for His possession,
so that you may proclaim the praises
of the One who called you out of darkness
into His marvelous light.

Once you were not a people,
but now you are God’s people;
you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.

As God’s slaves, live as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil.

Household slaves, submit with all fear to your masters, not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel.

For what credit is there if you sin and are punished, and you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer, if you endure it, this brings favor with God.

when He was reviled,
He did not revile in return;
when He was suffering,
He did not threaten
but entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly.

For you were like sheep going astray,
but you have now returned
to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing.

because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and His ears are open to their request.
But the face of the Lord is against
those who do what is evil.

But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed,

but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.

However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame.

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all,
the righteous for the unrighteous,
that He might bring you to God,
after being put to death in the fleshly realm
but made alive in the spiritual realm.

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.

But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name.

Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will; not for the money but eagerly;

not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

In the same way, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because

God resists the proud
but gives grace to the humble.