You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that would come to you searched and carefully investigated.

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Angels desire to look into these things.

But as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct;

And if you address as Father the One who judges impartially based on each one’s work, you are to conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your temporary residence.

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

For it is contained in Scripture:

Look! I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and honored cornerstone,
and the one who believes in Him
will never be put to shame!

So honor will come to you who believe, but for the unbelieving,

The stone that the builders rejected—
this One has become the cornerstone,

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people for His possession,
so that you may proclaim the praises
of the One who called you out of darkness
into His marvelous light.

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.

or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good.

when He was reviled,
He did not revile in return;
when He was suffering,
He did not threaten
but entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly.

For in the past, the holy women who put their hope in God also beautified themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands,

For the one who wants to love life
and to see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit,

because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and His ears are open to their request.
But the face of the Lord is against
those who do what is evil.

And who will harm you if you are deeply committed to what is good?

but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.

However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame.

who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while an ark was being prepared. In it a few—that is, eight people—were saved through water.

Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, equip yourselves also with the same resolve—because the one who suffered in the flesh has finished with sin—

They will give an account to the One who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.

For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead, so that, although they might be judged by men in the fleshly realm, they might live by God in the spiritual realm.

For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?

So those who suffer according to God’s will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves to a faithful Creator.

Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.

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!

The church in Babylon, also chosen, sends you greetings, as does Mark, my son.

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