Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are scattered as foreigners over Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

'Twas this salvation, that employ'd the most profound enquiries of those, who predicted the dispensation that was to be in your behalf:

To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

as obedient children be no longer influenc'd by those passions, which were the effects of your former ignorance.

considering, that it was not by such perishable things as silver or gold, that you were releas'd from those vain rites and customs impos'd upon you by your fathers,

those believing in God through Him, He who raised Him up from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope might be in God.

You, as living stones, are being made into a house of the spirit, a holy order of priests, making those offerings of the spirit which are pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.

For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who do not believe, "The stone which the builders rejected, has become the chief cornerstone,"

and a stone of stumbling, and rock of offence," to those who stumble at the word, disobedient; whereunto also they were appointed.

you who then were not a people, but now the people of God, those not pitied then, but now pitied.

My loved ones, I make this request with all my heart, that, as those for whom this world is a strange country, you will keep yourselves from the desires of the flesh which make war against the soul;

Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that in a case where they speak against you as those who do what is evil, they will, by observing your good works, glorify God on the day of visitation.

Keep all the laws of men because of the Lord; those of the king, who is over all,

or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well.

and to encourage those who do well. for such is the divine pleasure, that by your good conduct you obviate the cavils of inconsiderate

As those who are free, not using your free position as a cover for wrongdoing, but living as the servants of God;

You servants must be submissive to your masters and perfectly respectful to them; not only to those who are kind and considerate, but also to those who are unreasonable.

For those of you who put up with such suffering unjustly, because of your close relationship to God, are to be commended.

"He himself bore our sins" in his body on the tree, so that we might die to those sins and live righteously. "By his wounds you have been healed."

In the same way, you wives must be submissive to your husbands, so that even those who will not believe the Word may be won over without a word by the behaviour of their wives,

Do not let your ornaments be those of the body such as dressing of the hair, or putting on of jewels of gold or fair clothing;

But let them be those of the unseen man of the heart, the ever-shining ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great price in the eyes of God.

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,

Again, those of you who are married men should live considerately with their wives, showing due regard to their sex, as weaker than their own, and not forgetting that they share with you in the gift of Life. Then you will be able to pray without hindrance.

not returning evil for evil, or reproach for reproach: but on the contrary blessing even those that curse you: knowing ye are called unto this, that ye may obtain a blessing.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

Being conscious that you have done no wrong; so that those who say evil things about your good way of life as Christians may be put to shame.

by which also he went and preached to those spirits imprisoned;

who once were disobedient, when the great patience of God was waiting in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons [Noah’s family], were brought safely through the water.

Now, those people you used to run around with cannot understand why you have stopped living such wasteful lives, so they just "badmouth" you.

But, they will have to answer to God, who will judge both those who are now alive and those who have already died, [for the way they have lived].

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.

Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who do not obey the Good News of God?

Wherefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to him in well-doing as to the faithful Creator.

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,

neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.

And in the same way, let the younger men be ruled by the older ones. Let all of you put away pride and make yourselves ready to be servants: for God is a hater of pride, but he gives grace to those who make themselves low.

Greet one another with a kiss of holy love. Peace be to you, all those in Christ Jesus. Amen.