A Message of Living Hope

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah! In His great mercy He caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Messiah Yeshua from the dead. ⁴ An incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading inheritance has been reserved in heaven for you. ⁵ By trusting, you are being protected by God’s power for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ You rejoice in this greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials. ⁷ These trials are so that the true metal^[a] of your faith (far more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire) may come to light in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Messiah Yeshua. ⁸ Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. And even though you don’t see Him now, you trust Him and are filled with a joy that is glorious beyond words, ⁹ receiving the outcome of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

¹¹ Loved ones, I urge you as strangers and sojourners to keep away from the fleshly cravings that war against the soul. ¹² Keep your conduct honorable among the Gentiles. Then while they speak against you as evildoers, they may—from noticing your good deeds—glorify God in the day of visitation.

Respect and Order

¹³ For the Lord’s sake, submit yourselves to every human authority—whether to a king as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors sent by him for the punishment of those who do evil and the praise of those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is God’s will, that you silence the ignorance of foolish men by doing good. ¹⁶ Live as free people, but not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil. Rather, live as God’s slaves. ¹⁷ Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.