1 Peter 1
EasyEnglish Bible
God has given us a new life because of Christ
1 This letter is from me, Peter. I am an apostle of Jesus Christ.
I am writing to you, God's own people that he has chosen. You are now living in many different places, in the regions called Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.[a] You are living in these foreign places as strangers. 2 God, the Father, already decided that you should be his people. God's Spirit has made you special people who would obey Jesus Christ. God chose you so that Jesus Christ's blood would make you really clean.[b]
I pray that God will help you and give you peace in your minds more and more.
3 We praise God, who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is very kind to us, so that he has given us new life. This is possible because God raised Jesus Christ to new life after his death. Now, as we live, we are sure that we will receive good things from God. 4 We wait to receive all the good things that he has prepared for us. Nobody can ever destroy those things. Nothing can spoil them. They will never become old or less beautiful. God is keeping those things in heaven for you. 5 God is using his great power to keep you safe, because you trust him. He will continue to keep you safe until the last day, when Christ will return. Then you will know that God has saved you completely from sin and from death.
6 All this causes you to be very happy, even when you have troubles. For a short time now, different kinds of troubles may make you sad. 7 The purpose of these troubles is to show whether you really trust God. When you believe in Jesus, that is more valuable even than gold. People put gold into a hot fire to see if it is really good. And even gold will come to an end one day. But if you continue to trust God in your troubles, he will be very happy. On the day when Jesus Christ returns and appears to everyone, God will praise you. He will say that you have done well. That will be great!
8 You have never seen Jesus, but still you love him. You do not see him now, but you believe in him. As a result, you are very happy. There are no words to describe how happy you are. 9 You are happy now because God is saving you from sin. You believe in Jesus, and you know that God saves you because of that.[c]
10 A long time ago, God's prophets spoke about this. They said that God would be very kind to you, his people. They studied carefully to learn how God would save people. 11 They wanted to know when God's special Messiah would come and who he would be. Christ's Spirit showed those prophets that the Messiah would receive much trouble and pain. After that, God would show how great the Messiah is. 12 God showed his prophets that his messages about these things were not really to help them. Instead, God sent his message to the prophets to help you. That message is the good news about Jesus Christ which you have now heard. God sent his Holy Spirit from heaven to help people to tell the good news to you. Even the angels would like to understand more about these things.
Christians should do what is good
13 So now, prepare your minds, so that you are ready to live in a good way. Think clearly about how God helps you. Always remember that God will be very kind to you when Jesus Christ comes again. 14 Obey God, like good children who obey their father. Before you knew the true message about Christ, you very much wanted to do bad things. But now you should not agree to live in that bad way. 15 God has chosen you to be his own people. He is completely good. So you must be completely good too, in the way that you live. 16 In the Bible God says this: ‘You must be completely good, because I am completely good.’[d]
17 God knows what each person has done, and he judges each one for those things. He is always fair when he decides about people. He is never kinder to one person than he is to another person. When you pray to God, you call him ‘Father’. So then, always respect him, while you live as strangers here in the world. 18 Your ancestors lived in a way that did not make them really happy. That is the way that you learned to live as well. But now God has saved you from that way of life. You know that he has bought you for himself. He did not buy you with things that do not continue for ever, like silver or gold. 19 Instead, he bought you with the very valuable blood of Christ, who died as a sacrifice for our sins.[e] He died like a lamb that is completely good and has nothing wrong with it.[f]
20 Before the world began, God had already chosen Christ. But now, during these last days of the world, God has shown Christ to people. God did that so that he could help you. 21 Yes, it is because of Christ that you now believe in God. God raised Christ, so that he became alive again after his death. He did that to show everyone that Christ is great. That is why you believe in God. You trust him that he will do good things for you.
22 You have obeyed God's true message. As a result, you have become clean inside, and now you can really love other believers. So continue to love each other very well, with honest thoughts. 23 You now have a new life! It is not like a human life that quickly comes to an end. It is a new life that will never spoil. You received it because you believed God's message. That message continues for ever and it does not change. 24 The Bible says:
‘All people are like grass.
They may seem beautiful for a short time,
like flowers that grow in the fields.
But grass soon becomes dry and it dies.
Flowers soon fall to the ground.
25 But the Lord God's message will continue for ever.’
That message is the good news about Jesus Christ, which people have taught you.
Footnotes
- 1:1 Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia were all parts of the country that we now call Turkey. There was too much trouble for the Christians to live safely in their own land.
- 1:2 Jesus died as a sacrifice so that God would forgive us for our sins. The blood of his sacrifice makes us clean. Our sins do not make us unclean any more because God has forgiven us.
- 1:9 God tells us that Jesus died to save us from our sin. If we believe in Jesus, sin no longer has power over us. Also, God will not punish us for our sins because he has punished Jesus instead, on the cross.
- 1:16 In the book of Leviticus, God says five times that we should be completely good, like him. See Leviticus 11:44,45; 19:2; 20:7,26.
- 1:19 ‘blood of Christ’ means his death as a sacrifice on the cross. Christ was completely good. He never did anything wrong. He died on our behalf. He did much more than any dead animal could ever do. He took away all the wrong things that anyone has ever done.
- 1:19 Many years ago, God told the Israelites to kill lambs and other animals and to offer them to him as sacrifices. The animals should have nothing wrong with their bodies. They offered animals to God so that he would forgive their sins.
彼得前书 1
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
1 我是耶稣基督的使徒彼得，写信给蒙上帝拣选，寄居在本都、加拉太、加帕多迦、亚细亚、庇推尼各地的人。 2 你们蒙拣选是按照父上帝预先定好的旨意，借着圣灵得以圣洁，好顺服耶稣基督，并靠祂的血得到洁净。
愿上帝赐给你们丰丰富富的恩典和平安！
活泼的盼望
3 愿颂赞归于我们主耶稣基督的父上帝！祂有无穷的怜悯，借着耶稣基督从死里复活使我们获得重生，有活泼的盼望， 4 可以承受那不会朽坏、没有污点、不会衰残、为你们存留在天上的产业。 5 你们这些因信而蒙上帝用大能保守的人，必能得到那已经预备好、在末世要显明的救恩。
6 为此，即使现今你们必须暂时在百般试炼中忍受痛苦，也要满怀喜乐。 7 这样，你们的信心经过试验便显明是真实的，比那经过火炼仍会坏掉的金子更加宝贵，使你们可以在耶稣基督显现时得到称赞、荣耀和尊贵。 8 你们虽然没有见过基督，却爱祂；虽然现在看不见祂，却信祂，并且有无法形容、充满荣耀的喜乐。 9 因为你们得到了信心带来的果效，就是你们的灵魂得救。
10 有关这救恩，那些预言恩典要临到你们的众先知早已详细寻求查考了。 11 基督的灵曾在他们心中指示他们，预言基督要受苦，然后得荣耀。他们便详细查考这些事会在什么时候、什么情况下发生。 12 他们得到启示，知道他们传讲这些事不是为了自己，而是为了你们。现在，那些靠着从天上差来的圣灵向你们传福音的人，已经将这些事传给你们了。连天使也想把这些事看个明白。
要圣洁像主
13 所以，要预备好你们的心，谨慎自律，专心盼望耶稣基督显现时要带给你们的恩典。 14 你们既是顺服的儿女，就不要再像从前无知的时候那样放纵私欲。 15 那呼召你们的是圣洁的，你们在一切事上也要圣洁。 16 因为圣经上说：“你们要圣洁，因为我是圣洁的。”
17 既然你们称呼那位按各人的行为公正无私地审判人的上帝为父，就应该存着敬畏的心过你们在世上寄居的日子。 18 要知道，你们从传统的、没有意义的生活中被救赎出来，不是靠金银等会朽坏的东西， 19 而是靠无瑕无疵的代罪羔羊——基督的宝血。 20 基督是上帝在创世以前预先拣选的，却在这末世为你们显现。 21 你们借着基督信了使祂从死里复活、赐祂荣耀的上帝，所以，你们的信心和盼望都在于上帝。
22 你们既因顺服真理，洁净了自己的心，能够真诚地爱弟兄姊妹，就当以清洁的心彼此切实相爱。 23 你们获得重生，不是借着会腐烂的种子，而是借着不会腐烂的种子——上帝活泼永存的道。 24 因为
“芸芸众生尽如草，
荣华不过草上花；
草必枯干花必残，
25 唯有主道永长存。”
这道就是传给你们的福音。
1 Peter 1
King James Version
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
1 Peter 1
New King James Version
Greeting to the Elect Pilgrims
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To the [a]pilgrims (A)of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 (B)elect (C)according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, (D)in sanctification of the Spirit, for (E)obedience and (F)sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:
(G)Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
A Heavenly Inheritance
3 (H)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who (I)according to His abundant mercy (J)has begotten us again to a living hope (K)through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance [b]incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, (L)reserved in heaven for you, 5 (M)who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 (N)In this you greatly rejoice, though now (O)for a little while, if need be, (P)you have been [c]grieved by various trials, 7 that (Q)the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though (R)it is tested by fire, (S)may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 (T)whom having not [d]seen you love. (U)Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, (V)the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to [e]us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which (W)angels desire to look into.
Living Before God Our Father
13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not (X)conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 (Y)but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, (Z)“Be holy, for I am holy.”
17 And if you call on the Father, who (AA)without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your [f]stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with [g]corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but (AB)with the precious blood of Christ, (AC)as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 (AD)He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was [h]manifest (AE)in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, (AF)who raised Him from the dead and (AG)gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
The Enduring Word
22 Since you (AH)have purified your souls in obeying the truth [i]through the Spirit in [j]sincere (AI)love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23 (AJ)having been born again, not of [k]corruptible seed but [l]incorruptible, (AK)through the word of God which lives and abides [m]forever, 24 because
(AL)“All flesh is as grass,
And all [n]the glory of man as the flower of the grass.
The grass withers,
And its flower falls away,
25 (AM)But the [o]word of the Lord endures forever.”
(AN)Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 1:1 sojourners, temporary residents
- 1 Peter 1:4 imperishable
- 1 Peter 1:6 distressed
- 1 Peter 1:8 M known
- 1 Peter 1:12 NU, M you
- 1 Peter 1:17 sojourning, dwelling as resident aliens
- 1 Peter 1:18 perishable
- 1 Peter 1:20 revealed
- 1 Peter 1:22 NU omits through the Spirit
- 1 Peter 1:22 Lit. unhypocritical
- 1 Peter 1:23 perishable
- 1 Peter 1:23 imperishable
- 1 Peter 1:23 NU omits forever
- 1 Peter 1:24 NU its glory as
- 1 Peter 1:25 spoken word
EasyEnglish Bible Copyright © MissionAssist 2019 - Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1162807. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Chinese Contemporary Bible Copyright © 1979, 2005, 2007, 2011 by Biblica® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
