and you by God's power are being protected through faith to receive a salvation that is now ready to be disclosed at the last time.

they are to show that your faith when tested is found to be more precious than gold, which though it is perishable is tested with fire, and they will bring you praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

About this salvation the prophets who prophesied of the blessing that was destined for you made the most careful investigation,

trying to learn for what possible time the spirit of Christ within them in predicting the sufferings destined for Christ intended them and the glories that were to follow them.

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!

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, and with perfect calmness fix your hopes on the mercy that you are to experience when Jesus Christ is revealed.

for you know that you have not been ransomed with anything perishable like silver or gold, from the futile way of living in which you were brought up,

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

Now that by obeying the truth you have purified your souls for sincere love of the brotherhood, you must love one another intensely and heartily,

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

and like new-born babes crave the pure spiritual milk that will make you grow up to salvation,

and build yourselves up as living stones into a spiritual house for a consecrated priesthood, so as to offer spiritual sacrifices that through Jesus Christ will be acceptable to God.

and "A stone to stumble over, and a rock to trip them up." They stumble over the message because they will not obey it; that is their destiny.

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;

Dear friends, I beg you, as aliens and exiles here, not to indulge the physical cravings that are at war with the soul.

Live upright lives among the heathen, so that even if they charge you with being evil-doers, they may from observing the uprightness of your conduct come to praise God on the Day of Judgment.

For it is the will of God that by doing right you should silence the ignorant charges of foolish people.

That is the life to which you have been called, for Christ himself suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you might follow his footsteps.

He carried the burden of our sins in his own body on the cross, in order that we might die to sin and live for uprightness. By his wounds you have been healed.

You married women, in the same way, must be submissive to your husbands, so that any who refuse to believe the message may be won over without argument through the behavior of their wives

It was in that way in ancient times that those pious women who set their hopes on God made themselves attractive. They were submissive to their husbands,

You married men also must be considerate in living with your wives. You must show deference to women as the weaker sex, sharing the gift of life with you, so that there may be nothing to interfere with your prayers.

not returning evil for evil, or abuse for abuse. You must bless people instead. It is for this that you were called??o obtain blessing.

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."

And who is there that can hurt you if you are eager to do what is right?

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,

and keep your conscience clear, so that those who abuse your upright Christian conduct may be made ashamed of their slanders.

For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God's will, than for doing wrong.

In it Enoch went and preached even to those spirits that were in prison,

They are amazed that you no longer join them in plunging into the flood of dissipation, and they abuse you for it;

This is why the good news was preached to the dead also, that though they are judged in their physical nature as men are, they may yet live, like God, in the Spirit.

If one preaches, let him do it like one who utters the words of God; if one does some service, let him do it as with strength which God supplies, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Dear friends, do not be surprised that a test of fire is being applied to you, as though a strange thing were happening to you,

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 when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the glorious wreath that will never fade.

Submit humbly, therefore, to God's mighty hand, so that he may in due time raise you up.

Resist him and be strong in the faith, for you know that your brotherhood all over the world is having the same experience of suffering.

By Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I think him, I have written you this short letter to encourage you and bear my testimony that this is what the true mercy of God means. Stand fast in it.

Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you that are in union with Christ.