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1 Peter 1-5
American Standard Version

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

3 Blessed be [a]the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold [b]trials, 7 that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ: 8 whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and [c]full of glory: 9 receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10 Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings [d]of Christ, and the glories that should follow them. 12 To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that [e]preached the gospel unto you [f]by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

13 Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that [g]is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance: 15 but [h]like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; 16 because it is written, [i]Ye shall be holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear: 18 knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, even the blood of Christ: 20 who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of the times for your sake, 21 who through him are believers in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God. 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another [j]from the heart fervently: 23 having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of [k]God, which liveth and abideth. 24 For,

[l]All flesh is as grass,
And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass.
The grass withereth, and the flower falleth:
25 But the [m]word of the Lord abideth for ever.

And this is the [n]word of good tidings which was [o]preached unto you.

2 Putting away therefore all [p]wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 as newborn babes, long for the [q]spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation; 3 if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious: 4 unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, [r]precious, 5 ye also, as living stones, are built up [s]a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Because it is contained in [t]scripture,

[u]Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, [v]precious:
And he that believeth on [w]him shall not be put to shame.

7 [x]For you therefore that believe is the [y]preciousness: but for such as disbelieve,

[z]The stone which the builders rejected,
The same was made the head of the corner;

8 and,

[aa]A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence;

[ab]for they [ac]stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11 Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

13 Be subject to every [ad]ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme; 14 or unto governors, as sent [ae]by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 as free, and not [af]using your freedom for a cloak of [ag]wickedness, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

18 [ah]Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is [ai]acceptable, if for conscience [aj]toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is [ak]acceptable with God. 21 For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed [al]himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 who his own self [am]bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose [an]stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and [ao]Bishop of your souls.

3 In like manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the [ap]behavior of their wives; 2 beholding your chaste [aq]behavior coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel; 4 but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own [ar]husbands: 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children ye now are, if ye do well, and are not [as]put in fear by any terror.

7 Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor [at]unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered.

8 Finally, be ye all likeminded, [au]compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humbleminded: 9 not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For,

[av]He that would love life,
And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips that they speak no guile:
11 And let him turn away from evil, and do good;
Let him seek peace, and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous,
And his ears unto their supplication:
But the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil.

13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be zealous of that which is good? 14 But even if ye should suffer for righteousness’ sake, blessed are ye: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled; 15 but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear: 16 having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing. 18 Because Christ also [aw]suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison, 20 that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, [ax]wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water: 21 which also [ay]after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the [az]interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ; 22 who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

4 Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same [ba]mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased [bb]from sin; 2 that [bc]ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries: 4 wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same [bd]excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For unto this end [be]was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto [bf]prayer: 8 above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins: 9 using hospitality one to another without murmuring: 10 according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God; 11 if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion [bg]for ever and ever. Amen.

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you: 13 but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. 14 If ye are reproached [bh]for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you. 15 For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters: 16 but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name. 17 For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the [bi]gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.

5 The elders therefore among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Tend the flock of God which is among you, [bj]exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, [bk]according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested, ye shall receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away. 5 [bl]Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7 casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom withstand stedfast in [bm]your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are [bn]accomplished in your [bo]brethren who are in the world. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself [bp]perfect, establish, strengthen [bq]you. 11 To him be the dominion [br]for ever and ever. Amen.

12 By Silvanus, [bs]our faithful brother, as I account him, I have written unto you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God: stand ye fast therein. 13 [bt]She that is in Babylon, elect together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Mark my son. 14 Salute one another with a kiss of love.

Peace be unto you all that are in Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 1:3 Or, God and the Father. See Rom. 15:6 margin.
  2. 1 Peter 1:6 Or, temptations
  3. 1 Peter 1:8 Greek glorified.
  4. 1 Peter 1:11 Greek unto.
  5. 1 Peter 1:12 Greek brought good tidings. Compare Mt. 11:5.
  6. 1 Peter 1:12 Greek in.
  7. 1 Peter 1:13 Greek is being brought.
  8. 1 Peter 1:15 Or, like the Holy One who called you
  9. 1 Peter 1:16 Lev. 11:44f; 19:2; 20:7.
  10. 1 Peter 1:22 Many ancient authorities read from a clean heart. Compare 1 Tim. 1:5.
  11. 1 Peter 1:23 Or, God who liveth. Compare Dan. 6:26.
  12. 1 Peter 1:24 Isa. 40:6ff.
  13. 1 Peter 1:25 Greek saying.
  14. 1 Peter 1:25 Greek saying.
  15. 1 Peter 1:25 See verse 12.
  16. 1 Peter 2:1 Or, malice. 1 Cor. 14:20
  17. 1 Peter 2:2 Greek belonging to the reason. Compare Rom. 12:1.
  18. 1 Peter 2:4 Or, honorable
  19. 1 Peter 2:5 Or, a spiritual house for a holy priesthood
  20. 1 Peter 2:6 Or, a scripture
  21. 1 Peter 2:6 Isa. 28:16.
  22. 1 Peter 2:6 Or, honorable
  23. 1 Peter 2:6 Or, it
  24. 1 Peter 2:7 Or, In your sight
  25. 1 Peter 2:7 Or, honor
  26. 1 Peter 2:7 Ps. 118:22.
  27. 1 Peter 2:8 Isa. 8:14.
  28. 1 Peter 2:8 Greek who.
  29. 1 Peter 2:8 Or, stumble, being disobedient to the word
  30. 1 Peter 2:13 Greek creation.
  31. 1 Peter 2:14 Greek through.
  32. 1 Peter 2:16 Greek having.
  33. 1 Peter 2:16 Or, malice. 1 Cor. 14:20
  34. 1 Peter 2:18 Greek Household-servants.
  35. 1 Peter 2:19 Greek grace.
  36. 1 Peter 2:19 Greek of.
  37. 1 Peter 2:20 Greek grace.
  38. 1 Peter 2:23 Or, his cause
  39. 1 Peter 2:24 Or, carried up . . . to the tree. Compare Col. 2:14; 1 Macc. 4:53 (Greek).
  40. 1 Peter 2:24 Greek bruise.
  41. 1 Peter 2:25 Or, Overseer
  42. 1 Peter 3:1 Or, manner of life. verse 16
  43. 1 Peter 3:2 Or, manner of life. verse 16
  44. 1 Peter 3:5 Or, husbands (as Sarah . . . ye are become), doing well, and not being afraid
  45. 1 Peter 3:6 Or, afraid with
  46. 1 Peter 3:7 Greek unto the female vessel, as weaker.
  47. 1 Peter 3:8 Greek sympathetic.
  48. 1 Peter 3:10 Ps. 34:12ff.
  49. 1 Peter 3:18 Many ancient authorities read died.
  50. 1 Peter 3:20 Or, into which few, that is, eight souls, were brought safely through water
  51. 1 Peter 3:21 Or, in the antitype
  52. 1 Peter 3:21 Or, inquiry. Or, appeal
  53. 1 Peter 4:1 Or, thought
  54. 1 Peter 4:1 Some ancient authorities read unto sins.
  55. 1 Peter 4:2 Or, he no longer . . . his time
  56. 1 Peter 4:4 Or, flood
  57. 1 Peter 4:6 Or, were the good tidings preached
  58. 1 Peter 4:7 Greek prayers.
  59. 1 Peter 4:11 Greek unto the ages of the ages.
  60. 1 Peter 4:14 Greek in.
  61. 1 Peter 4:17 Greek good tidings. See Mt. 4:23 margin.
  62. 1 Peter 5:2 Some ancient authorities omit exercising the oversight.
  63. 1 Peter 5:2 Some ancient authorities omit according to the will of God.
  64. 1 Peter 5:5 Or, Likewise . . . elder; yea, all of you one to another. Gird yourselves with humility
  65. 1 Peter 5:9 Or, the
  66. 1 Peter 5:9 Greek being accomplished.
  67. 1 Peter 5:9 Greek brotherhood.
  68. 1 Peter 5:10 Or, restore
  69. 1 Peter 5:10 Many ancient authorities add settle.
  70. 1 Peter 5:11 Greek unto the ages of the ages.
  71. 1 Peter 5:12 Greek the.
  72. 1 Peter 5:13 That is, The church, or, The sister
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1 Peter 1-5
New International Version

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,(A)

To God’s elect,(B) exiles(C) scattered(D) throughout the provinces of Pontus,(E) Galatia,(F) Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,(G) 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge(H) of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,(I) to be obedient(J) to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:(K)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.(L)

Praise to God for a Living Hope

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!(M) In his great mercy(N) he has given us new birth(O) into a living hope(P) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,(Q) 4 and into an inheritance(R) that can never perish, spoil or fade.(S) This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,(T) 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power(U) until the coming of the salvation(V) that is ready to be revealed(W) in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice,(X) though now for a little while(Y) you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.(Z) 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness(AA) of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire(AB)—may result in praise, glory and honor(AC) when Jesus Christ is revealed.(AD) 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him(AE) and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.(AF)

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke(AG) of the grace that was to come to you,(AH) searched intently and with the greatest care,(AI) 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ(AJ) in them was pointing when he predicted(AK) the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you,(AL) when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you(AM) by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.(AN) Even angels long to look into these things.

Be Holy

13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober,(AO) set your hope(AP) on the grace to be brought to you(AQ) when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.(AR) 14 As obedient(AS) children, do not conform(AT) to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.(AU) 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;(AV) 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”[a](AW)

17 Since you call on a Father(AX) who judges each person’s work(AY) impartially,(AZ) live out your time as foreigners(BA) here in reverent fear.(BB) 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed(BC) from the empty way of life(BD) handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood(BE) of Christ, a lamb(BF) without blemish or defect.(BG) 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world,(BH) but was revealed in these last times(BI) for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God,(BJ) who raised him from the dead(BK) and glorified him,(BL) and so your faith and hope(BM) are in God.

22 Now that you have purified(BN) yourselves by obeying(BO) the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply,(BP) from the heart.[b] 23 For you have been born again,(BQ) not of perishable seed, but of imperishable,(BR) through the living and enduring word of God.(BS) 24 For,

“All people are like grass,
    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25     but the word of the Lord endures forever.”[c](BT)

And this is the word that was preached to you.

2 Therefore, rid yourselves(BU) of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander(BV) of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,(BW) so that by it you may grow up(BX) in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.(BY)

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

4 As you come to him, the living Stone(BZ)—rejected by humans but chosen by God(CA) and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built(CB) into a spiritual house[d](CC) to be a holy priesthood,(CD) offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.(CE) 6 For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
    a chosen and precious cornerstone,(CF)
and the one who trusts in him
    will never be put to shame.”[e](CG)

7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,(CH)

“The stone the builders rejected(CI)
    has become the cornerstone,”[f](CJ)

8 and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble
    and a rock that makes them fall.”[g](CK)

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.(CL)

9 But you are a chosen people,(CM) a royal priesthood,(CN) a holy nation,(CO) God’s special possession,(CP) that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.(CQ) 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God;(CR) once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

11 Dear friends,(CS) I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,(CT) to abstain from sinful desires,(CU) which wage war against your soul.(CV) 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds(CW) and glorify God(CX) on the day he visits us.

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:(CY) whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong(CZ) and to commend those who do right.(DA) 15 For it is God’s will(DB) that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.(DC) 16 Live as free people,(DD) but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;(DE) live as God’s slaves.(DF) 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers,(DG) fear God, honor the emperor.(DH)

18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters,(DI) not only to those who are good and considerate,(DJ) but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.(DK) 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.(DL) 21 To this(DM) you were called,(DN) because Christ suffered for you,(DO) leaving you an example,(DP) that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,(DQ)
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[h](DR)

23 When they hurled their insults at him,(DS) he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.(DT) Instead, he entrusted himself(DU) to him who judges justly.(DV) 24 “He himself bore our sins”(DW) in his body on the cross,(DX) so that we might die to sins(DY) and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”(DZ) 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[i](EA) but now you have returned to the Shepherd(EB) and Overseer of your souls.(EC)

3 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves(ED) to your own husbands(EE) so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over(EF) without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.(EG) 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self,(EH) the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.(EI) 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God(EJ) used to adorn themselves.(EK) They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord.(EL) You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

7 Husbands,(EM) in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Suffering for Doing Good

8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded,(EN) be sympathetic, love one another,(EO) be compassionate and humble.(EP) 9 Do not repay evil with evil(EQ) or insult with insult.(ER) On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,(ES) because to this(ET) you were called(EU) so that you may inherit a blessing.(EV) 10 For,

“Whoever would love life
    and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
    and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
    they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
    and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”[j](EW)

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?(EX) 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.(EY) “Do not fear their threats[k]; do not be frightened.”[l](EZ) 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer(FA) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope(FB) that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience,(FC) so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.(FD) 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will,(FE) to suffer for doing good(FF) than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once(FG) for sins,(FH) the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.(FI) He was put to death in the body(FJ) but made alive in the Spirit.(FK) 19 After being made alive,[m] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits(FL)— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently(FM) in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.(FN) In it only a few people, eight in all,(FO) were saved(FP) through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you(FQ) also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience(FR) toward God.[n] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,(FS) 22 who has gone into heaven(FT) and is at God’s right hand(FU)—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.(FV)

Living for God

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body,(FW) arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.(FX) 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires,(FY) but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past(FZ) doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.(GA) 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.(GB) 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.(GC) 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead,(GD) so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

7 The end of all things is near.(GE) Therefore be alert and of sober mind(GF) so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply,(GG) because love covers over a multitude of sins.(GH) 9 Offer hospitality(GI) to one another without grumbling.(GJ) 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,(GK) as faithful(GL) stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.(GM) If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides,(GN) so that in all things God may be praised(GO) through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.(GP)

Suffering for Being a Christian

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you(GQ) to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice(GR) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,(GS) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.(GT) 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,(GU) you are blessed,(GV) for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.(GW) 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household;(GX) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?(GY) 18 And,

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[o](GZ)

19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will(HA) should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

To the Elders and the Flock

5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder(HB) and a witness(HC) of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:(HD) 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock(HE) that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;(HF) not pursuing dishonest gain,(HG) but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over(HH) those entrusted to you, but being examples(HI) to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd(HJ) appears, you will receive the crown of glory(HK) that will never fade away.(HL)

5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves(HM) to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility(HN) toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[p](HO)

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.(HP) 7 Cast all your anxiety on him(HQ) because he cares for you.(HR)

8 Be alert and of sober mind.(HS) Your enemy the devil prowls around(HT) like a roaring lion(HU) looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him,(HV) standing firm in the faith,(HW) because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.(HX)

10 And the God of all grace, who called you(HY) to his eternal glory(HZ) in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,(IA) will himself restore you and make you strong,(IB) firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.(IC)

Final Greetings

12 With the help of Silas,[q](ID) whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly,(IE) encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.(IF)

13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.(IG) 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.(IH)

Peace(II) to all of you who are in Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 1:16 Lev. 11:44,45; 19:2
  2. 1 Peter 1:22 Some early manuscripts from a pure heart
  3. 1 Peter 1:25 Isaiah 40:6-8 (see Septuagint)
  4. 1 Peter 2:5 Or into a temple of the Spirit
  5. 1 Peter 2:6 Isaiah 28:16
  6. 1 Peter 2:7 Psalm 118:22
  7. 1 Peter 2:8 Isaiah 8:14
  8. 1 Peter 2:22 Isaiah 53:9
  9. 1 Peter 2:25 Isaiah 53:4,5,6 (see Septuagint)
  10. 1 Peter 3:12 Psalm 34:12-16
  11. 1 Peter 3:14 Or fear what they fear
  12. 1 Peter 3:14 Isaiah 8:12
  13. 1 Peter 3:19 Or but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which also
  14. 1 Peter 3:21 Or but an appeal to God for a clear conscience
  15. 1 Peter 4:18 Prov. 11:31 (see Septuagint)
  16. 1 Peter 5:5 Prov. 3:34
  17. 1 Peter 5:12 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas
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