which are kept by the power of God through salvation, which salvation is prepared already to be showed in the last time,

in the which time ye shall rejoice, though now for a season - if need require - ye are in heaviness, through manifold temptations,

searching when, or at what time, the spirit of Christ which was in them should signify - which spirit testified before - the passions that should come unto Christ, and the glory that should follow after.

And if so be that ye call on the father, which without respect of person judgeth according to every man's works, see that ye pass the time of your pilgrimage in fear:

which in time past were not a people, yet are now the people of God, which were not under mercy: but now have obtained mercy.

For after this manner in the old time did the holy women which trusted in God tire themselves, and were obedient to their husbands,

which were in time past disobedient, when the long suffering of God abode exceeding patiently in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few - that is to say eight souls - were saved by water,

that he henceforward should live as much time as remaineth in the flesh, not after the lusts of men: but after the will of God.

For it is sufficient for us that we have spent the time that is past of the life, after the will of the gentiles; walking in wantonness, lusts, drunkenness, in eating, drinking, and in abominable idolatry.

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God. If it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them which believe not the gospel of God?

Submit yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you, when the time is come.