1 Peter, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, To the strangers who dwell here and there throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia;

² Elect, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, for sanctification of the Spirit through obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you.

³ Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who, according to His abundant mercy, has begotten us again to a living hope by the resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ,

⁴ to an immortal and undefiled inheritance which does not wither, reserved in Heaven for us

⁵ who are kept for salvation through faith by the power of God (which is prepared to be revealed in the last time

⁶ and in which you rejoice. Though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through various trials

⁷ so that the trial of your faith—being much more precious than gold, which perishes even though it is tried with fire—might be found to your praise, honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ,

⁸ Whom you have not seen and yet love; in Whom now, though you do not see Him, you still believe and rejoice with unspeakable and glorious joy,

⁹ receiving the purpose of your faith: the salvation of your souls).

¹⁰ Of such salvation the Prophets have inquired and searched, prophesying of the grace that would come to you,

¹¹ searching when or at what time the Spirit of Christ (Who testified before) was in them, declaring the sufferings that would come to Christ and the glory that would follow.

¹² To them it was revealed—not to themselves, but to us— that they should minister the things which are shown to you by those who have preached the Gospel by the Holy Ghost, sent down from Heaven. These things the angels desire to behold.

¹³ Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind. Be sober and trust completely in that grace which is brought to you by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

¹⁴ As obedient children, do not conform yourselves to the former lusts of your ignorance.

¹⁵ But as He Who has called you is holy, so you be holy, in all manner of conversation.

¹⁶ Because it is written, “Be holy. For I am holy.”

¹⁷ And if you call him ‘Father’ (Who judges according to the work of each, without respect of persons), pass the time of your dwelling here in fear,

¹⁸ knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things - like silver and gold from your ineffective lifestyle received by the traditions of the Fathers -

¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb undefiled and without spot.

²⁰ He was ordained before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sakes,

²¹ You, through Him, believe in God Who raised Him from the dead and gave Him Glory, so that your faith and hope might be in God.

²² Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth (through the Spirit) toward brotherly love without hypocrisy, love one another fervently, with a pure heart;

²³ being born anew—not of mortal seed, but of immortal—by the Word of God, Who lives and endures forever.

²⁴ For “all flesh is as grass. And all the glory of man is as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls away.

²⁵ “But the Word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the Word which is preached among you.