You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials

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

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.

but the word of the Lord endures forever.

And this is the word that was preached as the gospel to you.

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

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

and

A stone to stumble over,
and a rock to trip over.

They stumble because they disobey the message; they were destined for this.

For you were called to this,
because Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example,
so that you should follow in His steps.

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

not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing.

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.

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

So they are surprised that you don’t plunge with them into the same flood of wild living—and they slander you.

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.

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!