Asia, and Bithynia, chosen according to the fore-knowledge of God, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience, and to the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ,---may grace and peace be multiplied unto you.

to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,

In which ye rejoice, tho' now for a little while, if need be, ye are grieved through various trials.

That the proof of your faith, which is much more precious than of gold, (that perisheth, though tried by fire) may be found unto praise, and honor, and glory, when Jesus Christ shall be revealed:

Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober, and stedfastly hope for the grace to be conferred upon you at the appearing of Jesus Christ;

Be ye holy, for I am holy.

And if ye call upon the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

who was indeed appointed before the foundation of the world, but manifested in these last times, for your sakes,

being regenerated not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever.

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass: the grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away;

but the word of the Lord abideth for ever. And this is the word which is preached to you in the gospel.

for ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious;

Be subject therefore to every human form of government, for the Lord's sake: whether it be to a king as supreme;

or to governors as persons sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and the praise of them that do well.

For so is the will of God, that by your good behaviour ye may silence the ignorance of foolish men:

as free, and yet not using your liberty as a cloke for wickedness, but as the servants of God.

Give due honor to all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Ye who are servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and mild, but also to the morose:

for this is an evidence of grace, if any one for conscience towards God endure griefs, suffering unjustly.

For what glory is it, if when ye sin and are punished for it, ye bear it patiently? but if when ye do well and suffer for it, ye bear it patiently, this will gain favor with God.

For unto this are ye called; because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye might follow his steps.

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now turned unto the shepherd and bishop of your souls.

beholding your chaste conversation in the fear of God.

For so also formerly the holy women, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being submissive to their husbands; as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him her lord:

whose daughters ye are, if ye do well, and are not terrified with any sinful fear.

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 he that would desire life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile;

let him seek peace, and pursue it: for the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."

But if ye should even suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye: and therefore be not afraid of their menaces, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:

For it is better (if it be the will of God) to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

As Christ also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust (that He might introduce us to God) being indeed put to death in the flesh, but raised to life by the Spirit:

Seeing therefore Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same thought, that he, who hath mortified the flesh, hath ceased from sin;

For the time past of our life is sufficient for us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, walking in lasciviousness, inordinate desires, excess of wine, revellings, drunkenness, and abominable idolatries:

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

having above all things fervent love to each other; for love will cover a multitude of sins.

If any one speak, let it be as declaring the oracles of God: if any one minister, let it be as from the power which God affordeth him: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: and though as to them He is blasphemed, yet as to you He is glorified.

For the time is coming when judgement is to begin at the house of God: and if at us first, what will be the end of those that obey not the gospel of God?

taking the episcopal charge of it, not by constraint, but willingly; not for shameful lucre, but with a ready mind:

Likewise ye younger, be subject to the elder; and all of you behaving with due submission one to another, be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, but sheweth favor to the humble.

casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.

Be sober, be vigilant; for your adversary the devil, like a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.