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

to whom coming, as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, and precious;

To you, then, who trust, it is precious; but to unbelieving- a stone which the builders rejected, which has become the head of the corner-

a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense. Those who stumble at the word, are disobedient unbelievers, to which, therefore, they were appointed:

but you are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people; that you should declare the perfections of him who has called you from darkness into his marvelous light:

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

or to governor, as those sent by him for the punishment, indeed, of evil doers; but for the praise of them who do good.

who did not sin, neither was guile found in his mouth;

who, when he was reviled, did not revile in return; when he suffered he did not threaten, but committed his cause to him who judges righteously-

who himself bore away our sins in his own body, on the tree; that we, being freed from sins, should live to righteousness; by whose stripes you are healed.

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

"For he who is desirous to enjoy life, and to see good days, let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.

Besides, who is he that will do evil to you, if you be imitators of the Good One?

but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be always prepared for giving an answer, with meekness and reverence, to every one who asks of you a reason for the hope which is in you.

Hold fast a good conscience, that, whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may be put to shame who arraign your good behavior in Christ.

who formerly were disobedient, when the patience of God once waited, in the days of Noah, while an ark was preparing, in which few, that is, eight souls, were effectually saved through water-

who, having gone into heaven, is at the right hand of God; angels, and authorities, and powers, being subjected to him.

Christ, then, having suffered for us in the flesh, do you also warm yourselves with the same mind: for he who has suffered in the flesh, has ceased from sin;

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

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

Indeed, the time is come that punishment must begin at the house of God; and if it begin first at us, what the end of them who do not obey the gospel of God?

Wherefore, then, let those who suffer by the will of God, commit their own lives to him in well doing, as a faithful Creator.

The seniors who are among you, I exhort, who am also a senior, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory which is to be revealed.

Be sober, be vigilant: your adversary, the devil, is walking about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour:

whom resist, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the very same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren, who are in the world.

And may the God of all favor, who has called us to his eternal glory, by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, himself make you complete; support, strengthen, establish you:

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