Hebrews 11 - 1 Peter 2

New International Version

Faith in Action

11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for^(A) and assurance about what we do not see.^{(B) 2} This is what the ancients were commended for.^(C)

³ By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command,^(D) so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

⁴ By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended^(E) as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings.^(F) And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.^(G)

⁵ By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”^[a](H) For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him^(I) must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

⁷ By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen,^(J) in holy fear built an ark^(K) to save his family.^(L) By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.^(M)

⁸ By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance,^(N) obeyed and went,^(O) even though he did not know where he was going. ⁹ By faith he made his home in the promised land^(P) like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents,^(Q) as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.^{(R) 10} For he was looking forward to the city^(S) with foundations,^(T) whose architect and builder is God.^{(U) 11} And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age,^(V) was enabled to bear children^(W) because she^[b] considered him faithful^(X) who had made the promise. ¹² And so from this one man, and he as good as dead,^(Y) came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.^(Z)

¹³ All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised;^(AA) they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance,^(AB) admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.^{(AC) 14} People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. ¹⁵ If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.^{(AD) 16} Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.^(AE) Therefore God is not ashamed^(AF) to be called their God,^(AG) for he has prepared a city^(AH) for them.

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.^(AI) He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, ¹⁸ even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”^{[c](AJ) 19} Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead,^(AK) and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

²⁰ By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.^(AL)

²¹ By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons,^(AM) and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

²² By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.^(AN)

²³ By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born,^(AO) because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.^(AP)

²⁴ By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.^{(AQ) 25} He chose to be mistreated^(AR) along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. ²⁶ He regarded disgrace^(AS) for the sake of Christ^(AT) as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.^{(AU) 27} By faith he left Egypt,^(AV) not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. ²⁸ By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer^(AW) of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.^(AX)

²⁹ By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.^(AY)

³⁰ By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.^(AZ)

³¹ By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.^[d](BA)

³² And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon,^(BB) Barak,^(BC) Samson^(BD) and Jephthah,^(BE) about David^(BF) and Samuel^(BG) and the prophets, ³³ who through faith conquered kingdoms,^(BH) administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,^{(BI) 34} quenched the fury of the flames,^(BJ) and escaped the edge of the sword;^(BK) whose weakness was turned to strength;^(BL) and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.^{(BM) 35} Women received back their dead, raised to life again.^(BN) There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. ³⁶ Some faced jeers and flogging,^(BO) and even chains and imprisonment.^{(BP) 37} They were put to death by stoning;^[e](BQ) they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword.^(BR) They went about in sheepskins and goatskins,^(BS) destitute, persecuted and mistreated— ³⁸ the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves^(BT) and in holes in the ground.

³⁹ These were all commended^(BU) for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised,^{(BV) 40} since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us^(BW) would they be made perfect.^(BX)

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run^(BY) with perseverance^(BZ) the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus,^(CA) the pioneer^(CB) and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,^(CC) scorning its shame,^(CD) and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.^{(CE) 3} Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary^(CF) and lose heart.

God Disciplines His Children

⁴ In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.^{(CG) 5} And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

⁷ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.^(CK) For what children are not disciplined by their father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline^(CL)—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits^(CM) and live!^{(CN) 10} They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.^{(CO) 11} No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace^(CP) for those who have been trained by it.

¹² Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.^{(CQ) 13} “Make level paths for your feet,”^[g](CR) so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.^(CS)

Warning and Encouragement

¹⁴ Make every effort to live in peace with everyone^(CT) and to be holy;^(CU) without holiness no one will see the Lord.^{(CV) 15} See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God^(CW) and that no bitter root^(CX) grows up to cause trouble and defile many. ¹⁶ See that no one is sexually immoral,^(CY) or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.^{(CZ) 17} Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears,^(DA) he could not change what he had done.

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

¹⁸ You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;^{(DB) 19} to a trumpet blast^(DC) or to such a voice speaking words^(DD) that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,^{(DE) 20} because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”^{[h](DF) 21} The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”^[i](DG)

²² But you have come to Mount Zion,^(DH) to the city^(DI) of the living God,^(DJ) the heavenly Jerusalem.^(DK) You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, ²³ to the church of the firstborn,^(DL) whose names are written in heaven.^(DM) You have come to God, the Judge of all,^(DN) to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,^{(DO) 24} to Jesus the mediator^(DP) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood^(DQ) that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.^(DR)

²⁵ See to it that you do not refuse^(DS) him who speaks.^(DT) If they did not escape when they refused him who warned^(DU) them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?^{(DV) 26} At that time his voice shook the earth,^(DW) but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”^{[j](DX) 27} The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken^(DY)—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,^(DZ) let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,^{(EA) 29} for our “God is a consuming fire.”^[k](EB)

Concluding Exhortations

13 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.^{(EC) 2} Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers,^(ED) for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.^{(EE) 3} Continue to remember those in prison^(EF) as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

⁴ Marriage should be honored by all,^(EG) and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.^{(EH) 5} Keep your lives free from the love of money^(EI) and be content with what you have,^(EJ) because God has said,

⁶ So we say with confidence,

⁷ Remember your leaders,^(EM) who spoke the word of God^(EN) to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate^(EO) their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.^(EP)

⁹ Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.^(EQ) It is good for our hearts to be strengthened^(ER) by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods,^(ES) which is of no benefit to those who do so.^{(ET) 10} We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle^(EU) have no right to eat.^(EV)

¹¹ The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering,^(EW) but the bodies are burned outside the camp.^{(EX) 12} And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate^(EY) to make the people holy^(EZ) through his own blood.^{(FA) 13} Let us, then, go to him^(FB) outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.^{(FC) 14} For here we do not have an enduring city,^(FD) but we are looking for the city that is to come.^(FE)

¹⁵ Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice^(FF) of praise—the fruit of lips^(FG) that openly profess his name. ¹⁶ And do not forget to do good and to share with others,^(FH) for with such sacrifices^(FI) God is pleased.

¹⁷ Have confidence in your leaders^(FJ) and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you^(FK) as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

¹⁸ Pray for us.^(FL) We are sure that we have a clear conscience^(FM) and desire to live honorably in every way. ¹⁹ I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.^(FN)

Benediction and Final Greetings

²⁰ Now may the God of peace,^(FO) who through the blood of the eternal covenant^(FP) brought back from the dead^(FQ) our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,^{(FR) 21} equip you with everything good for doing his will,^(FS) and may he work in us^(FT) what is pleasing to him,^(FU) through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(FV)

²² Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.^(FW)

²³ I want you to know that our brother Timothy^(FX) has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.

²⁴ Greet all your leaders^(FY) and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy^(FZ) send you their greetings.

²⁵ Grace be with you all.^(GA)

1 James,^(GB) a servant of God^(GC) and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes^(GD) scattered^(GE) among the nations:

Greetings.^(GF)

Trials and Temptations

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[n] whenever you face trials of many kinds,^{(GG) 3} because you know that the testing of your faith^(GH) produces perseverance.^{(GI) 4} Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature^(GJ) and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,^(GK) who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.^{(GL) 6} But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,^(GM) because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded^(GN) and unstable^(GO) in all they do.

⁹ Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.^{(GP) 10} But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.^{(GQ) 11} For the sun rises with scorching heat^(GR) and withers^(GS) the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.^(GT) In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial^(GU) because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life^(GV) that the Lord has promised to those who love him.^(GW)

¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own^(GX) evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;^(GY) and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.^(GZ)

¹⁶ Don’t be deceived,^(HA) my dear brothers and sisters.^{(HB) 17} Every good and perfect gift is from above,^(HC) coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,^(HD) who does not change^(HE) like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth^(HF) through the word of truth,^(HG) that we might be a kind of firstfruits^(HH) of all he created.

Listening and Doing

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters,^(HI) take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak^(HJ) and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger^(HK) does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ²¹ Therefore, get rid of^(HL) all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you,^(HM) which can save you.

²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.^{(HN) 23} Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom,^(HO) and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.^(HP)

²⁶ Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues^(HQ) deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after^(HR) orphans and widows^(HS) in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.^(HT)

Favoritism Forbidden

2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious^(HU) Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.^{(HV) 2} Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. ³ If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” ⁴ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges^(HW) with evil thoughts?

⁵ Listen, my dear brothers and sisters:^(HX) Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world^(HY) to be rich in faith^(HZ) and to inherit the kingdom^(IA) he promised those who love him?^{(IB) 6} But you have dishonored the poor.^(IC) Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?^{(ID) 7} Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

⁸ If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”^[o](IE) you are doing right. ⁹ But if you show favoritism,^(IF) you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.^{(IG) 10} For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles^(IH) at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.^{(II) 11} For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”^[p](IJ) also said, “You shall not murder.”^[q](IK) If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

¹² Speak and act as those who are going to be judged^(IL) by the law that gives freedom,^{(IM) 13} because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.^(IN) Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Faith and Deeds

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?^(IO) Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.^{(IP) 16} If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?^{(IQ) 17} In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.^(IR)

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds,^(IS) and I will show you my faith^(IT) by my deeds.^{(IU) 19} You believe that there is one God.^(IV) Good! Even the demons believe that^(IW)—and shudder.

²⁰ You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless^[r]?^{(IX) 21} Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?^{(IY) 22} You see that his faith and his actions were working together,^(IZ) and his faith was made complete by what he did.^{(JA) 23} And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”^[s](JB) and he was called God’s friend.^{(JC) 24} You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

²⁵ In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?^{(JD) 26} As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.^(JE)

Taming the Tongue

3 Not many of you should become teachers,^(JF) my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged^(JG) more strictly.^{(JH) 2} We all stumble^(JI) in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say^(JJ) is perfect,^(JK) able to keep their whole body in check.^(JL)

³ When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.^{(JM) 4} Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.^(JN) Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire,^(JO) a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,^(JP) sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.^(JQ)

⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.^(JR)

⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.^{(JS) 10} Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?^(JT) Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it^(JU) by their good life, by deeds^(JV) done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition^(JW) in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.^{(JX) 15} Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven^(JY) but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.^{(JZ) 16} For where you have envy and selfish ambition,^(KA) there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven^(KB) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,^(KC) considerate, submissive, full of mercy^(KD) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.^{(KE) 18} Peacemakers^(KF) who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.^(KG)

Submit Yourselves to God

4 What causes fights and quarrels^(KH) among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle^(KI) within you? ² You desire but do not have, so you kill.^(KJ) You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. ³ When you ask, you do not receive,^(KK) because you ask with wrong motives,^(KL) that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

⁴ You adulterous^(KM) people,^[t] don’t you know that friendship with the world^(KN) means enmity against God?^(KO) Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.^{(KP) 5} Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us^[u]?^{(KQ) 6} But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

⁷ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil,^(KS) and he will flee from you. ⁸ Come near to God and he will come near to you.^(KT) Wash your hands,^(KU) you sinners, and purify your hearts,^(KV) you double-minded.^{(KW) 9} Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.^{(KX) 10} Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.^(KY)

¹¹ Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another.^(KZ) Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister^[w] or judges them^(LA) speaks against the law^(LB) and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it,^(LC) but sitting in judgment on it. ¹² There is only one Lawgiver and Judge,^(LD) the one who is able to save and destroy.^(LE) But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?^(LF)

Boasting About Tomorrow

¹³ Now listen,^(LG) you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”^{(LH) 14} Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.^{(LI) 15} Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will,^(LJ) we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.^{(LK) 17} If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.^(LL)

Warning to Rich Oppressors

5 Now listen,^(LM) you rich people,^(LN) weep and wail^(LO) because of the misery that is coming on you. ² Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.^{(LP) 3} Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.^{(LQ) 4} Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers^(LR) who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries^(LS) of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.^{(LT) 5} You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves^(LU) in the day of slaughter.^{[x](LV) 6} You have condemned and murdered^(LW) the innocent one,^(LX) who was not opposing you.

Patience in Suffering

⁷ Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming.^(LY) See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting^(LZ) for the autumn and spring rains.^{(MA) 8} You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming^(MB) is near.^{(MC) 9} Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters,^(MD) or you will be judged. The Judge^(ME) is standing at the door!^(MF)

¹⁰ Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets^(MG) who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ As you know, we count as blessed^(MH) those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance^(MI) and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.^(MJ) The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.^(MK)

¹² Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.^(ML)

The Prayer of Faith

¹³ Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.^(MM) Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.^{(MN) 14} Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders^(MO) of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil^(MP) in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer offered in faith^(MQ) will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins^(MR) to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.^(MS) The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.^(MT)

¹⁷ Elijah was a human being, even as we are.^(MU) He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.^{(MV) 18} Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.^(MW)

¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth^(MX) and someone should bring that person back,^{(MY) 20} remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save^(MZ) them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.^(NA)

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,^(NB)

To God’s elect,^(NC) exiles^(ND) scattered^(NE) throughout the provinces of Pontus,^(NF) Galatia,^(NG) Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,^{(NH) 2} who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge^(NI) of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,^(NJ) to be obedient^(NK) to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:^(NL)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.^(NM)

Praise to God for a Living Hope

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!^(NN) In his great mercy^(NO) he has given us new birth^(NP) into a living hope^(NQ) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,^{(NR) 4} and into an inheritance^(NS) that can never perish, spoil or fade.^(NT) This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,^{(NU) 5} who through faith are shielded by God’s power^(NV) until the coming of the salvation^(NW) that is ready to be revealed^(NX) in the last time. ⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice,^(NY) though now for a little while^(NZ) you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.^{(OA) 7} These have come so that the proven genuineness^(OB) of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire^(OC)—may result in praise, glory and honor^(OD) when Jesus Christ is revealed.^{(OE) 8} Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him^(OF) 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.^(OG)

¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke^(OH) of the grace that was to come to you,^(OI) searched intently and with the greatest care,^{(OJ) 11} trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ^(OK) in them was pointing when he predicted^(OL) 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,^(OM) when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you^(ON) by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.^(OO) Even angels long to look into these things.

Be Holy

¹³ Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober,^(OP) set your hope^(OQ) on the grace to be brought to you^(OR) when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.^{(OS) 14} As obedient^(OT) children, do not conform^(OU) to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.^{(OV) 15} But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;^{(OW) 16} for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”^[y](OX)

¹⁷ Since you call on a Father^(OY) who judges each person’s work^(OZ) impartially,^(PA) live out your time as foreigners^(PB) here in reverent fear.^{(PC) 18} For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed^(PD) from the empty way of life^(PE) handed down to you from your ancestors, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood^(PF) of Christ, a lamb^(PG) without blemish or defect.^{(PH) 20} He was chosen before the creation of the world,^(PI) but was revealed in these last times^(PJ) for your sake. ²¹ Through him you believe in God,^(PK) who raised him from the dead^(PL) and glorified him,^(PM) and so your faith and hope^(PN) are in God.

²² Now that you have purified^(PO) yourselves by obeying^(PP) the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply,^(PQ) from the heart.^{[z] 23} For you have been born again,^(PR) not of perishable seed, but of imperishable,^(PS) through the living and enduring word of God.^{(PT) 24} For,

And this is the word that was preached to you.

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

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

⁴ As you come to him, the living Stone^(QA)—rejected by humans but chosen by God^(QB) and precious to him— ⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built^(QC) into a spiritual house^[ab](QD) to be a holy priesthood,^(QE) offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.^{(QF) 6} For in Scripture it says:

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

⁸ and,

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

⁹ But you are a chosen people,^(QN) a royal priesthood,^(QO) a holy nation,^(QP) God’s special possession,^(QQ) that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.^{(QR) 10} Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God;^(QS) once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

¹¹ Dear friends,^(QT) I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,^(QU) to abstain from sinful desires,^(QV) which wage war against your soul.^{(QW) 12} Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds^(QX) and glorify God^(QY) on the day he visits us.

¹³ Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:^(QZ) whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴ or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong^(RA) and to commend those who do right.^{(RB) 15} For it is God’s will^(RC) that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.^{(RD) 16} Live as free people,^(RE) but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;^(RF) live as God’s slaves.^{(RG) 17} Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers,^(RH) fear God, honor the emperor.^(RI)

¹⁸ Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters,^(RJ) not only to those who are good and considerate,^(RK) 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.^{(RL) 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.^{(RM) 21} To this^(RN) you were called,^(RO) because Christ suffered for you,^(RP) leaving you an example,^(RQ) that you should follow in his steps.

²³ When they hurled their insults at him,^(RT) he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.^(RU) Instead, he entrusted himself^(RV) to him who judges justly.^(RW)