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1 Peter 2-4
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
1 Peter 2-4
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Living Stone and a Chosen People
2 Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander.(A) 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation(B)— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.[a](C)
4 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5 like living stones let yourselves be built[b] into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.(D) 6 For it stands in scripture:
“See, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”(E)
7 This honor, then, is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,[c]
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the very head of the corner,”(F)
8 and
“A stone that makes them stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.(G)
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,[d] in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.(H)
10 Once you were not a people,
but now you are God’s people;
once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.(I)
Live as Servants of God
11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul.[e](J) 12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge.[f](K)
13 For the Lord’s sake be subject to every human authority,[g] whether to the emperor as supreme(L) 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. 16 As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil.(M) 17 Honor everyone. Love the family of believers.[h] Fear God. Honor the emperor.(N)
The Example of Christ’s Suffering
18 Slaves, be subject to your masters with all respect,[i] not only those who are good and gentle but also those who are dishonest. 19 For it is a commendable thing if, being aware of God, a person endures pain while suffering unjustly. 20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do good and suffer for it, this is a commendable thing before God.(O) 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.(P)
22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.(Q) 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,[j] so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds[k] you have been healed.(R) 25 For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.[l](S)
Wives and Husbands
3 Wives, in the same way, be subject to your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives’ conduct,(T) 2 when they see the purity and respect of your conduct. 3 Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing;(U) 4 rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight.(V) 5 It was in this way long ago that the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves by being subject to their husbands. 6 Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughters as long as you do what is good and never let fears alarm you.(W)
7 Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman—though the weaker vessel,[m] they are joint heirs of the gracious gift of life—so that nothing may hinder your prayers.(X)
Suffering for Doing Right
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.(Y) 9 Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse, but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing.(Z) 10 For
“Those who desire to love life
and to see good days,
let them keep their tongues from evil
and their lips from speaking deceit;
11 let them turn away from evil and do good;
let them seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right,[n] you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear,[o] and do not be intimidated,(AA) 15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you,(AB) 16 yet do it with gentleness and respect. Maintain a good conscience so that, when you are maligned,[p] those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.(AC) 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered[q] for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you[r] to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,(AD) 19 in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, 20 who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight lives, were saved through water.(AE) 21 And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for[s] a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,(AF) 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.(AG)
Good Stewards of God’s Grace
4 Since, therefore, Christ suffered in the flesh,[t] arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin),(AH) 2 so as to live for the rest of your time in the flesh no longer by human desires but by the will of God.(AI) 3 You have already spent enough time in doing what the gentiles like to do, living in debauchery, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry.(AJ) 4 They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme.[u](AK) 5 But they will have to give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.(AL) 6 For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does.
7 The end of all things is near;[v] therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers.(AM) 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.(AN) 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.(AO) 11 Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.(AP)
Suffering as a Christian
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.(AQ) 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory,[w] which is the Spirit of God,[x] is resting on you.[y](AR) 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker.[z](AS) 16 Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name.[aa] 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God?(AT) 18 And
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
19 Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust their lives to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.
Footnotes
- 2.3 Or kind
- 2.5 Or you yourselves are being built
- 2.7 Other ancient authorities read obey
- 2.9 Gk a people for his possession
- 2.11 Or one’s life
- 2.12 Gk God on the day of visitation
- 2.13 Or every authority ordained for humans
- 2.17 Gk Love the brotherhood
- 2.18 Or fear
- 2.24 Or carried up our sins in his body to the tree
- 2.24 Gk bruise
- 2.25 Or lives
- 3.7 Or body
- 3.14 Or for righteousness’ sake
- 3.14 Gk their fear
- 3.16 Other ancient authorities read when they malign you as evildoers
- 3.18 Other ancient authorities read died
- 3.18 Other ancient authorities read us
- 3.21 Or a pledge to God from
- 4.1 Other ancient authorities add for us or for you
- 4.4 Or they malign you
- 4.7 Or is at hand
- 4.14 Other ancient authorities add and of power
- 4.14 Or spirit of glory and of God
- 4.14 Other ancient authorities add On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified
- 4.15 Meaning of Gk uncertain
- 4.16 Other ancient authorities read in this respect
1 Peter 2-4
New International Version
1 Peter 2-4
New International Version
2 Therefore, rid yourselves(A) of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander(B) of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,(C) so that by it you may grow up(D) in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.(E)
The Living Stone and a Chosen People
4 As you come to him, the living Stone(F)—rejected by humans but chosen by God(G) and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built(H) into a spiritual house[a](I) to be a holy priesthood,(J) offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.(K) 6 For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,(L)
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”[b](M)
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,(N)
8 and,
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.(R)
9 But you are a chosen people,(S) a royal priesthood,(T) a holy nation,(U) God’s special possession,(V) that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.(W) 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God;(X) once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society
11 Dear friends,(Y) I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,(Z) to abstain from sinful desires,(AA) which wage war against your soul.(AB) 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds(AC) and glorify God(AD) on the day he visits us.
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:(AE) whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong(AF) and to commend those who do right.(AG) 15 For it is God’s will(AH) that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.(AI) 16 Live as free people,(AJ) but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;(AK) live as God’s slaves.(AL) 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers,(AM) fear God, honor the emperor.(AN)
18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters,(AO) not only to those who are good and considerate,(AP) 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.(AQ) 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.(AR) 21 To this(AS) you were called,(AT) because Christ suffered for you,(AU) leaving you an example,(AV) that you should follow in his steps.
23 When they hurled their insults at him,(AY) he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.(AZ) Instead, he entrusted himself(BA) to him who judges justly.(BB) 24 “He himself bore our sins”(BC) in his body on the cross,(BD) so that we might die to sins(BE) and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”(BF) 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[f](BG) but now you have returned to the Shepherd(BH) and Overseer of your souls.(BI)
3 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves(BJ) to your own husbands(BK) so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over(BL) 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.(BM) 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self,(BN) the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.(BO) 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God(BP) used to adorn themselves.(BQ) They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord.(BR) You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
7 Husbands,(BS) 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,(BT) be sympathetic, love one another,(BU) be compassionate and humble.(BV) 9 Do not repay evil with evil(BW) or insult with insult.(BX) On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,(BY) because to this(BZ) you were called(CA) so that you may inherit a blessing.(CB) 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.”[g](CC)
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?(CD) 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.(CE) “Do not fear their threats[h]; do not be frightened.”[i](CF) 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer(CG) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope(CH) that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience,(CI) so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.(CJ) 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will,(CK) to suffer for doing good(CL) than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once(CM) for sins,(CN) the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.(CO) He was put to death in the body(CP) but made alive in the Spirit.(CQ) 19 After being made alive,[j] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits(CR)— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently(CS) in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.(CT) In it only a few people, eight in all,(CU) were saved(CV) through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you(CW) also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience(CX) toward God.[k] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,(CY) 22 who has gone into heaven(CZ) and is at God’s right hand(DA)—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.(DB)
Living for God
4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body,(DC) arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.(DD) 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires,(DE) but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past(DF) doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.(DG) 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.(DH) 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.(DI) 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead,(DJ) 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.(DK) Therefore be alert and of sober mind(DL) so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply,(DM) because love covers over a multitude of sins.(DN) 9 Offer hospitality(DO) to one another without grumbling.(DP) 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,(DQ) as faithful(DR) 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.(DS) If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides,(DT) so that in all things God may be praised(DU) through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.(DV)
Suffering for Being a Christian
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you(DW) to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice(DX) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,(DY) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.(DZ) 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,(EA) you are blessed,(EB) 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.(EC) 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household;(ED) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?(EE) 18 And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[l](EF)
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will(EG) should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 2:5 Or into a temple of the Spirit
- 1 Peter 2:6 Isaiah 28:16
- 1 Peter 2:7 Psalm 118:22
- 1 Peter 2:8 Isaiah 8:14
- 1 Peter 2:22 Isaiah 53:9
- 1 Peter 2:25 Isaiah 53:4,5,6 (see Septuagint)
- 1 Peter 3:12 Psalm 34:12-16
- 1 Peter 3:14 Or fear what they fear
- 1 Peter 3:14 Isaiah 8:12
- 1 Peter 3:19 Or but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which also
- 1 Peter 3:21 Or but an appeal to God for a clear conscience
- 1 Peter 4:18 Prov. 11:31 (see Septuagint)
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