Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

Who, through the purpose of God, have been made holy by the Spirit, disciples of Jesus, made clean by his blood: May you have grace and peace in full measure.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In whom you rejoice, if however it is needful, being grieved a little while among manifold temptations: in order

whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that'should come unto you:

seeking to find out what person or what time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glories [destined] to follow.

To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angel desire to look into.

but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living;

And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear:

but by the precious blood of Christ, who is the lamb without spot, and without blemish:

who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of times for your sake,

who through him are believers in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.

Men who have purified your souls in obedience of the truth through the Spirit for non-hypocritical brotherly love. Ye should love each other fervently from a pure heart,

having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but incorruptible, through the word of God, who lives and abides.

unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious,

And you yourselves are also like living stones, being constructed into a spiritual house. For you are like holy priests who offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

It is therefore contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, chosen, precious. And he who believes in him will, no, not be shamed.

To you therefore who believe is the preciousness, but for men who disobey, A stone that the builders rejected, this became the head of the corner,

and, A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, men who stumble at the word, being disobedient, for which also they were set.

But ye are a elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

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,

And those of the rulers who are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and for the praise of 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 house-servants must be submissive to your masters and show them perfect respect, not only to those who are kind and fair but also to those who are cruel.

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

who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.

Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls.

You married women, in the same way, must be submissive to your husbands, so that any who refuse to believe the message may be won over without argument through the behavior of their wives

Of whom let not be the adorning of garments, or outward braiding of hair and wearing of gold, or of putting on clothing,

For after this manner aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:

as Sarah was obedient to Abraham, calling him 'sir,' of whom ye did become daughters, doing good, and not fearing any terror.

And you husbands, give thought to your way of life with your wives, giving honour to the woman who is the feebler vessel, but who has an equal part in the heritage of the grace of life; so that you may not be kept from prayer.

For he who wants to love life, and see good days, let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips not to speak deceit.

Because the eyes of Lord are toward the righteous, and his ears to their supplication, but the face of Lord is against men who do evil things.

And who is he that will harm you, if ye be zealous of that which is good?

but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. And always be ready for a defense to every man who asks you a word about the hope in you, with mildness and fear.

having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ.

for Jesus Christ himself has already suffer'd for our sins, the innocent for the guilty, to bring us to God: who, tho' he died with respect to his body, was rais'd to life by that spirit,

(It was in spirit that he went and preached the Word to the spirits who were in prison,

who were disobedient formerly, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah who prepared an ark in which a few, that is, eight souls were saved through water.

who is one the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Therefore of Christ having suffered in flesh for us, arm ye yourselves also with the same mentality, because he who has suffered in flesh has ceased from sin,

who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead.

The gospel was preached for this cause to those who were dead also, that they might be judged according to men in flesh, but live according to God in spirit.

Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

If any man speaks, as oracles of God. If any man serves, as of ability as God supplies. So that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory and the dominion into the ages of the ages. Truly.

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, who is the Spirit of God, rests on you.

Let no one among you undergo punishment as a taker of life, or as a thief, or as an evil-doer, or as one who is over-interested in other men's business;

Because the time to begin judgment is from the house of God, and if first from us, what is the end of those who disobey the good-news of God?

And if people who are trying to do right [i.e., Christians] are saved through [suffering] such difficulties, where will the ungodly and sinful person end up, [if not in hell]?

Therefore also let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls as to a faithful Creator by well-doing.

The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

You should serve as shepherds of God's flock [i.e., the church], among whom you minister, providing careful oversight [of the people], not because you feel forced to, but because you want to, as this is in accordance with the way God wants it to be. Do not [serve as elders] simply out of a desire for the income you receive, but because your heart is in it.

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.

Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,

whom withstand stedfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world.

And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you.

I have written you this brief letter through Silvanus (I know him to be a faithful brother) to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Take your stand in it!

She who is in Babylon, who has a part with you in the purpose of God, sends you her love; and so does my son Mark.

Salute one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ Jesus.