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

Now this is that word which has been proclaimed as glad tidings to you.

as newborn babes, earnestly desire the unadulterated milk of the word, that you may grow by it.

Because, indeed, you have tasted that the Lord is good;

but you are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people; that you should declare the perfections of him who has called you from darkness into his marvelous light:

Have your behavior comely, among the Gentiles, that, whereas, they speak against you, as evil doers, having beheld your good works, they may glorify God, in the day of visitation.

For so is the will of God, that, by doing good, you put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Besides, to this you were called; for even Christ suffered for us, leaving us a pattern, that you should follow his footsteps;

who himself bore away our sins in his own body, on the tree; that we, being freed from sins, should live to righteousness; by whose stripes you are healed.

In like manner, let the wives be in subjection to their own husbands; that, indeed, if any obey not the word, they, without the word, may be won by the behavior of their wives,

whose adorning, let it not be that which is external-the plaiting of hair, trinkets of gold, or finery of dress;

In like manner, husbands, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the wife, as the weaker vessel, and as joint heirs of the favor of life, that your prayers be not hindered.

not returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; but, on the contrary, bless: knowing that to this you were called, that you might inherit the blessing.

Besides, who is he that will do evil to you, if you be imitators of the Good One?

Hold fast a good conscience, that, whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may be put to shame who arraign your good behavior in Christ.

For even Christ once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God; being put to death, indeed, in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit.

who formerly were disobedient, when the patience of God once waited, in the days of Noah, while an ark was preparing, in which few, that is, eight souls, were effectually saved through water-

so that he no longer lives his remaining time in the flesh, to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

On which account they wonder that you do not run with them, into the same sink of debauchery, reviling you,-

For, to this end of the gospel was preached to the dead, that they might, indeed, be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

If any one speak, let him speak as the oracles of God: if any one minister, let him do it as from the strength which God supplies; that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

but, seeing you partake of the sufferings of Christ, rejoice: that, also, at the revelation of his glory you may rejoice, with exceeding great joy.

However, if any one suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him even glorify God on that account.

Indeed, the time is come that punishment must begin at the house of God; and if it begin first at us, what the end of them who do not obey the gospel of God?

Be humbled, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

whom resist, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the very same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren, who are in the world.

By Sylvanus, a faithful brother, (as I conclude,) I have written to you in few words, exhorting you, and strongly testifying that this is the true favor of God, in which you stand.