It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you in regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who brought you the good news through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. These are things that even the angels desire to look into.

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

On the one hand, he was foreknown before the creation of the world, but on the other hand, he was revealed at the end of time for your sake.

For you have been born again, not by a seed that perishes but by one that cannot perish by the living and everlasting word of God.

but the word of the Lord lasts forever." Now this word is the good news that was announced to you.

As you come to him, the living stone who was rejected by people but was chosen and precious in God's sight,

Therefore he is precious to you who believe, but to those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people to be his very own and to proclaim the wonderful deeds of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

You household servants must submit yourselves to your masters out of respect, not only to those who are kind and fair, but also to those who are unjust.

What good does it do if, when you sin, you patiently receive punishment for it? But if you suffer for doing good and receive it patiently, you have God's approval.

You were "like sheep that kept going astray," but now you have returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.

For the Lord watches the righteous, and he pays attention to their prayers. But the Lord opposes those who do wrong."

But even if you should suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. "Never be afraid of their threats, and never get upset.

But do this gently and respectfully, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak evil of your good conduct in the Messiah will be ashamed of slandering you.

For the Messiah also suffered for sins once for all, an innocent person for the guilty, so that he could bring you to God. He was put to death in a mortal body but was brought to life by the Spirit,

Baptism, which is symbolized by that water, now saves you also, not by removing dirt from the body, but by asking God for a clear conscience based on the resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah,

so that he can live the rest of his mortal life guided, not by human desires, but by the will of God.

But if you suffer for being a Christian, do not feel ashamed, but glorify God with that name.

Be shepherds of God's flock that is among you, watching over it, not because you must but because you want to, and not greedily but eagerly, as God desires.

Do not lord it over the people entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock.

In a similar way, you young people must submit to the elders. All of you must clothe yourselves with humility for the sake of each other, because: "God opposes the arrogant, but gives grace to the humble."