Salutation

11 Peter , an apostle of Jesus Christ , To those who reside as aliens , scattered throughout Pontus , Galatia , Cappadocia , Asia , and Bithynia , who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father , by the sanctifying work of the Spirit , [1]to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood : May grace and peace [2]be yours in the fullest measure .

The Christian's Hope and Salvation

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead , 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away , reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time .

6 In this you greatly rejoice , even though now for a little while , if necessary , you have been distressed by various [3]trials , 7 so that the [4] proof of your faith , being more precious than gold which [5]is perishable , even though tested by fire , may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now , but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and [6]full of glory , 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of [7]your souls .

10 As to this salvation , the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made e careful e searches and inquiries , 11 [8]seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories [9]to follow e . 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves , but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven -things into which angels long to [10]look .

A Call to Holy Living

13 Therefore , [11] prepare your minds for action, [12] keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace [13]to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ . 14 As [14] obedient children , do not [15] be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance , 15 but [16] like the Holy One who called you, [17] be holy yourselves also in all your behavior ; 16 because it is written , " YOU SHALL BE HOLY , FOR I AM HOLY ." 17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work , conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18 knowing that you were not [18] redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers , 19 but with precious blood , as of a lamb unblemished and spotless , the blood of Christ . 20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world , but has appeared [19]in these last times for the sake of you 21 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 . 22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a [20] sincere love of the brethren , fervently love one another from [21]the heart , 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable , that is, through the living and enduring word of God .

24 For, " ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS , AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS . THE GRASS WITHERS , AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF , 25 BUT THE WORD OF THE Lord ENDURES FOREVER ." And this is the word which was [22]preached to you.

The Behavior of Wives and Husbands

31 In the same way , you wives , be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word , they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives , 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior . 3 Your adornment must not be merely external -braiding the hair , and wearing gold jewelry , or putting on dresses ; 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart , with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit , which is precious in the sight of God . 5 For in this way in former times the holy women also , who hoped in God , used to adorn themselves , being submissive to their own husbands ; 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham , calling him lord , and you have become her children if you do what is right without e being frightened by any fear . 7 You husbands in the same way , live with your wives in an understanding way , as with someone weaker , since she is a woman ; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life , so that your prayers will not be hindered .

Suffer for Righteousness' Sake

8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious , sympathetic , brotherly , kindhearted , and humble in spirit ; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult , but giving a blessing instead ; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing . 10 For, " THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE , TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS , MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT . 11 " HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD ; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT. 12 " FOR THE EYES OF THE Lord ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS , AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER , BUT THE FACE OF THE Lord IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL ." 13 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good ? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness , you are blessed . AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION , AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED , 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts , always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence ;

16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered , those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame . 17 For it is better , if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong .

18 For Christ also died for sins once for all , the just for the unjust , so that He might bring us to God , having been put to death in the flesh , but made alive in the spirit ; 19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison , 20 who once were disobedient , when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah , during the construction of the ark , in which a few , that is, eight persons , were brought safely through the water .

21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you- not the removal of dirt from the flesh , but an appeal to God for a good conscience -through the resurrection of Jesus Christ , 22 who is at the right hand of God , having gone into heaven , after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.