to whom it was revealed that they were serving not themselves but you with reference to the same [things] which now have been announced to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, {things into which} angels desire to look.

[because you] know that you were redeemed from your futile way of life inherited from your ancestors not with perishable things like silver or gold,

and "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense," who stumble [because they] disobey the word to which also they were consigned.

who once [were] not a people, but now [are] the people of God, the ones [who were] not shown mercy, but now are shown mercy.

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his footsteps,

who himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that [we] may die to sins [and] live to righteousness, by whose wounds you were healed.

For you were going astray like sheep, but you have turned back now to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

not repaying evil for evil or insult for insult, but on the other hand blessing [others], because for this [reason] you were called, so that you could inherit a blessing.

who were formerly disobedient, when the patience of God waited in the days of Noah, [while] an ark was being constructed, in which a few--that is, eight souls--were rescued through water.

Because for this reason also the gospel was preached to those who are dead, so that they were judged {by human standards} in the flesh, but they may live in the spirit {by God's standards}.

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, [when it] takes place to test you, as [if] [something] strange were happening to you.