Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto an animating hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

who are guarded by the omnipotence of God, through faith to obtain the salvation which is ready to appear at the last time.

whom though ye have not seen, ye love; on whom, though ye have not as yet gazed, yet believing, ye exult with joy unutterable and glorious:

Concerning which salvation the prophets eagerly sought and diligently inquired, who prophesied of the grace which is come to you:

To whom it was revealed, that not for themselves, but for us were their ministrations employed in the things which are now declared unto you by those who have preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; on which things the angels bending forwards eagerly desire to gaze.

but as he who hath called you is holy, be ye holy also in all your conduct:

And if ye invoke him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, conduct yourselves during the time of your sojourning with [jealous] fear:

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

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

Whom approaching, as the living stone, rejected indeed of men, but elect of God, and honourable,

By you therefore who believe is he honoured: but respecting the disobedient, "the stone which the builders rejected, this very stone is become the head of the corner,

and a stone of stumbling, and rock of offence," to those who stumble at the word, disobedient; whereunto also they were appointed.

But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people acquired by purchase; that ye should publish abroad the excellencies of him, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

who in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God; who had not obtained mercy, but are now the objects of mercy.

or to governors, as sent by him for the punishment of wicked doers, but the praise of those who do well.

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

who, when reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he used no menaces; but referred himself to him who judgeth righteously:

who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead unto sins, might live unto righteousness; "by whose stripes, [even] his, ye were healed."

For so in times of old the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands;

For the eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and his ears open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against those who practise wicked things.

And who will do you harm if ye be imitators of him that is good?

but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be always ready with your reply to every man who demands a reason respecting the hope which is in you with meekness and fear:

keeping a good conscience; that whereas they malign you, as evil doers, they may be confounded who take pleasure in ridiculing your good conduct in Christ.

who in time of old were disobedient, when the long suffering of God in the days of Noe waited, while the ark was preparing, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were preserved through the water.

who is at the right hand of God, gone into heaven, angels and dominations and powers being put in subjection under him.

who shall give an account to him, who holds himself ready to judge the living and the dead.

If any man speak, let it be agreeably to the oracles of God; if any man act as a deacon, let it be from the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory and might for ever and ever. Amen.

For now is the time when judgment is commencing at the house of God; and if it begin with us, what will be the end of those who obey not the gospel of God?

Wherefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to him in well-doing as to the faithful Creator.

THE presbyters among you I exhort, who am a co-presbyter and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory which shall be revealed:

In like manner, ye who are younger persons, be in subjection to your elders: but all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed from head to foot with humility: for God sets himself in opposition to the proud, but he giveth grace to the lowly.

Be sober, be vigilant; for your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, prowleth around, seeking whom he may devour:

against whom stand fast, firm in the faith, knowing that the very same sufferings are fully endured by the brotherhood which is in the world.

But the God of all grace, who hath called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, when ye have suffered a little while, himself perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

She who is co-elect at Babylon, saluteth you, and my son Mark.