elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by sanctification of the Spirit, that they might be brought to the obedience, and sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ: grace unto you and peace be multiplied.

that the test of your faith (much more precious than that of gold, which is of a perishing nature, though proved by fire) may be found unto praise and honour and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ:

To whom it was revealed, that not for themselves, but for us were their ministrations employed in the things which are now declared unto you by those who have preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; on which things the angels bending forwards eagerly desire to gaze.

knowing that ye have not been redeemed out of your vain manner of life, derived traditionally from your fathers, by the corruptible things, silver and gold,

who by him believe in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

as new-born babes desire earnestly the unadulterated milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people acquired by purchase; that ye should publish abroad the excellencies of him, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

having your conduct ornamental among the Gentiles: that, whereas they malign you as wicked doers, they may, being eye-witnesses of your good works, glorify God in the day when he visits them.

For such is the will of God, that by well doing ye hold under restraint the ignorance of foolish men:

For hereunto have ye been called, because Christ also hath suffered for you, leaving you a pattern, that ye should follow his steps;

who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead unto sins, might live unto righteousness; "by whose stripes, [even] his, ye were healed."

LIKEWISE, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if some obey not the word, by their wives' conduct without the word, they may be won over;

Whose adorning let it not be that exterior one of braided locks, and golden trimmings, and dresses put on with nicety;

but let it be the hidden man of the heart, with that incorruptible ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God highly valuable.

Ye husbands, in like manner dwell with them discreetly, putting respect on the dear woman as being the weaker vessel, and as co-heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers may meet no interruption.

not returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; but, contrariwise, wishing men every blessing; knowing that hereunto ye have been called, that ye should inherit the [divine] benediction.

"For he that would love life, and see good days, let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile.

And who will do you harm if ye be imitators of him that is good?

keeping a good conscience; that whereas they malign you, as evil doers, they may be confounded who take pleasure in ridiculing your good conduct in Christ.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, put to death indeed in the flesh, but raised to life by the Spirit:

who in time of old were disobedient, when the long suffering of God in the days of Noe waited, while the ark was preparing, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were preserved through the water.

CHRIST then having suffered for us in the flesh, be ye also in mind armed for the same conflict: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sinning;

that he might not spend the remaining space of life in the flesh after human passions, but the divine will.

wherein they think it a strange thing, that you are not running with them into the same gulph of profligacy, spreading every scandalous report of you:

For to this end was the gospel preached to those that are dead, that they might be judged indeed in the flesh according to the will of men, but live in spirit according to the will of God.

If any man speak, let it be agreeably to the oracles of God; if any man act as a deacon, let it be from the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory and might for ever and ever. Amen.

but as ye share in the sufferings of Christ rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory also ye may hail him with exultations.

And when the arch Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that will never fade away.

Humble yourselves therefore beneath the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due season:

against whom stand fast, firm in the faith, knowing that the very same sufferings are fully endured by the brotherhood which is in the world.

By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I think, I have written to you a few words, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye are standing fast.

Salute one another with a kiss of love. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.