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

Who are kept by the power of God thro' faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.

Whom having not seen, ye love: in whom tho' ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, Receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

who prophesied of the grace of God toward you.

To whom it was revealed, that not for themselves, but for us they ministered the things which have been now declared to you by them that have preached the gospel to you, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven: which things angels desire to look into.

But as he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation:

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

Who verily was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was manifested in these last times for you,

Who thro' him believe in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope, might be in God.

To whom coming as unto a living stone, rejected indeed by men,

Therefore to you who believe, he is precious: but to them who believe not, The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner.

And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, to them who stumble, not believing the word, whereunto also they were appointed.

But ye are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a purchased people, that ye may shew forth the virtues of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Who in time past were not a people, but now are the people of God;

who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

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

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

Who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sin might live to righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

For thus the holy women also of old time who trusted in God, adorned themselves,

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

Having a good conscience, that whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

Who some time disbelieved, when the long-suffering of God waited in the Days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein few, that is, eight persons were saved through the water:

Who being gone into heaven, is on the right-hand of God, angels, and authorities, and powers being subjected to him.

speaking evil of you, Who shall give account to him that is ready judge the living and the dead.

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

for your adversary the devil, walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour:

Whom resist, stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

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