Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the sojourners that are dispersed through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

in respect to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for us,

that your faith, when proved, being much more precious than gold, which perishes though it be tried by fire, may be found to be for praise and honor and glory, at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Concerning which salvation the prophets that prophesied of the grace that should be for you, did inquire, and search diligently,

inquiring what things, and what time, the Spirit of Christ that was in them did signify, when it testified, before hand, the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them;

to whom it was revealed, that, not for themselves, but for us, they ministered the things that are now preached to you by those who have made known to you the gospel, through the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; into which things angels desire to look.

Wherefore, gird up the loins of your mind; be watchful, and hope constantly for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ:

because you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver or gold, from your vain mode of life received by tradition from your fathers,

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

as new-born babes, earnestly desire the pure spiritual milk, that you may grow by it,

if; indeed, you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

you, also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, that you may offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

For it is contained in the scripture: Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner-stone, chosen, precious; and he that believes on him shall not be ashamed.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people, that you should show forth the virtues of him who has called you out of darkness into his wonderful light:

Beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and sojourners, that you keep yourselves from fleshly desires, which war against the soul,

maintaining an honorable mode of life am one the Gentiles, that, inasmuch as they speak against you as evil-doers, they may, on account of your good works which they witness, glorify God in the day of visitation.

For such is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men;

To this, indeed, you have been called; because even Christ suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his footsteps.

When he was reviled, he did not revile again; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but committed himself to him that judges righteously.

He himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. By his stripes you were healed.

For you were like sheep that had gone astray; but now you have returned to the shepherd and bishop of your souls.

Likewise, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they may, without the word, be won by the conduct of their wives,

Let not your adorning be that which is outward, which consists in plaiting the hair, and wearing gold, and putting on apparel:

Likewise, you husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, bestowing honor on the wife as the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered.

not repaying evil for evil, nor reviling for reviling, but, on the other hand, blessing, since you know that for this end you were called, that you might inherit blessing.

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile:

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

but reverence the Lord God in your hearts, and be always ready to answer every one that asks of you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

having a good conscience, that, inasmuch as they speak against you as evil-doers, they may be ashamed who traduce your good con duct in Christ.

For it is better, if such be the will of God, that you suffer for doing good, than for doing evil.

For Christ also once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, having been put to death in flesh, but made alive in spirit;

who formerly were disobedient, when the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while an ark was preparing, in which few, that is, eight souls, were brought in safety through the water;

Since, then, Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, do you also arm yourselves with the same determination; for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

so that he no longer lives the rest of his time in the flesh, according to the desires of men, but according to the will of God.

They are amazed at this that you run not with them into the same excess of debauchery, and they revile you.

These shall give an account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead.

For this cause, indeed, even those who have died had the gospel preached to them, that though they might be judged according to the will of men in the flesh, yet they might live according to the will of God in the spirit.

But the end of all things is at hand; be sober-minded, therefore, and watchful, that you may pray.

If any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God: if any man acts as a deacon, let him do this as from the strength which God supplies; that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and strength from age to age. Amen.

Beloved, be not amazed at the fiery trial that has come on you to try you, as if some strange thing had happened to you.

But, inasmuch as you are partakers of the sufferings of the Christ,, rejoice, that, at the revelation of his glory, you may also be exceedingly joyful.

For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of those who obey not the gospel of God?

The elders that are among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and a sharer in the glory that is to be revealed.

And when the chief shepherd shall appear, you shall receive the crown of glory that fades not away.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the strong hand of God, that he may exalt you in due season.

Being firm in the faith, resist him, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world.

By Sylvanus, a faithful brother to you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.

Salute one another with a kiss of love. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus.