In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries,

But the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word which was preached to you.

For this is contained in Scripture:
“Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone,
And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve,
“The stone which the builders rejected,
This became the very corner stone,”

and,
“A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”;
for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.

For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.

For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands;

In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;

For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.

Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!