in which ye exult, though now, for a little while, if necessary, made sorrowful in manifold temptations;

concerning which salvation the prophets earnestly sought and diligently searched, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you;

to whom it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to you they were ministering them; which things now were reported to you through those who proclaimed the Gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from Heaven; into which things angels desire to look carefully.

And this is the word of the good news which was proclaimed to you.

To you, therefore, who believe is the preciousness; but to those who disbelieve, a stone which the builders rejected, this was made into a head of a corner,"

and "a stone of stumbling, and rock of offense"; who stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which also they were appointed.

Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly desires, which, indeed, war against the soul;

having your conduct seemly among the gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may, from your good works which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price.

And who is he that will harm you, if ye become zealous for that which is good?

who were once disobedient, when the long-suffering of God was waiting in the days of Noah, while an ark was being prepared, entering into which, a few, that is, eight, souls were saved through water;

which, in its anti-type, immersion, now saves you also (not a putting away of the filth of flesh, but the requirement of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

at which they are surprised, since ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you;

if anyone speaks, as uttering the oracles of God; if anyone ministers, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth; that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ; to Whom is the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

feed the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it, not by constraint, but willingly; nor yet for base gain, but of a ready mind;

Through Sylvanus, our faithful brother, as I consider him, I wrote to you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God; within which stand ye.