Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, has, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, regenerated us for a living hope

who are kept secure by the power of God through faith, to a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time:

-whom, though you have not seen him, yet you love; on whom not now looking, but believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory,

to whom it was revealed, that, not for themselves, but for us, they ministered the things that are now preached to you by those who have made known to you the gospel, through the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; into which things angels desire to look.

but as he who has called you is holy, so be you holy in all your behavior:

And since you call on the Father, who, without respect of persons, judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear:

who was indeed foreordained before the foundation of the world, but manifested in these last times for you,

who through him do believe in God who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God.

To you, then, who believe, is this preciousness: but the stone which the builders rejected, has become the head of the corner,

and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense to the disobedient, who stumble at the word because they are disobedient, to which stumbling they were also appointed.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people, that you should show forth the virtues of him who has called you out of darkness into his wonderful light:

who formerly were not a people, but now are the people of God; who had not received mercy, but now have received mercy.

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

For, in former times, the holy women also, who trusted in God, thus adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands,

For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry: but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

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

having a good conscience, that, inasmuch as they speak against you as evil-doers, they may be ashamed who traduce your good con duct in Christ.

who formerly were disobedient, when the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while an ark was preparing, in which few, that is, eight souls, were brought in safety through the water;

who has gone into heaven, and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having become subject to him.

For this cause, indeed, even those who have died had the gospel preached to them, that though they might be judged according to the will of men in the flesh, yet they might live according to the will of God in the spirit.

If any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God: if any man acts as a deacon, let him do this as from the strength which God supplies; that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and strength from age to age. Amen.

For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of those who obey not the gospel of God?

Wherefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God, by doing good, commit their souls to him as to a faithful Creator.

The elders that are among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and a sharer in the glory that is to be revealed.

Be sober, be watchful: for your adversary, the devil, like a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.

Being firm in the faith, resist him, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world.

But may the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, confirm you.