1 Peter 1-5

Christian Standard Bible

Greeting

1 Peter,^(A) an apostle of Jesus Christ:

To those chosen, living as exiles^(B) dispersed^(C) abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,^(D) chosen^{(E) 2} according to the foreknowledge^(F) of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,^(G) to be obedient^(H) and to be sprinkled with the blood^(I) of Jesus Christ.

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

A Living Hope

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.^(J) Because of his great mercy^(K) he has given us new birth^(L) into a living hope^(M) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead^{(N) 4} and into an inheritance that is imperishable,^(O) undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven^(P) for you. ⁵ You are being guarded by God’s power^(Q) through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.^{(R) 6} You rejoice in this,^[a] even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials^{(S) 7} so that the proven character of your faith^(T)—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire^(U)—may result^(V) in praise, glory, and honor^(W) at the revelation of Jesus Christ.^{(X) 8} Though you have not seen^(Y) him, you love him;^(Z) though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice^(AA) with inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets,^(AB) who prophesied about the grace that would come to you, searched and carefully investigated. ¹¹ They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ^(AC) within them was indicating when he testified in advance^(AD) to the sufferings of Christ^(AE) and the glories^(AF) that would follow.^{[b] 12} It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you^(AG) by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven^(AH)—angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.

A Call to Holy Living

¹³ Therefore, with your minds ready for action,^(AI) be sober-minded^(AJ) and set your hope^(AK) completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation^(AL) of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As obedient children,^(AM) do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. ¹⁵ But as the one who called you^(AN) is holy,^(AO) you also are to be holy in all your conduct; ¹⁶ for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.^{[c](AP) 17} If you appeal to the Father who judges impartially^(AQ) according to each one’s work,^(AR) you are to conduct yourselves in reverence^(AS) during your time living as strangers. ¹⁸ For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life^(AT) inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold,^{(AU) 19} but with the precious blood of Christ,^(AV) like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.^{(AW) 20} He was foreknown^(AX) before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times^(AY) for you. ²¹ Through him you believe in God,^(AZ) who raised him from the dead^(BA) and gave him glory,^(BB) so that your faith and hope are in God.

²² Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth,^[d] so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other,^(BC) from a pure^[e] heart love one another constantly,^{[f](BD) 23} because you have been born again^(BE)—not of perishable seed^(BF) but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God.^{(BG) 24} For

And this word is the gospel that was proclaimed to you.

The Living Stone and a Holy People

2 Therefore, rid yourselves of^(BJ) all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander.^{(BK) 2} Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word,^[h](BL) so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, ³ if you have tasted^(BM) that the Lord is good.^{[i](BN) 4} As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by^[j] God— ⁵ you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood^[k] to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God^(BO) through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For it stands in Scripture:

⁷ So honor will come to you who believe; but for the unbelieving,

⁸ and

They stumble because they disobey the word; they were destined^(BU) for this.

⁹ But you are a chosen race,^[p][q](BV) a royal priesthood,^[r](BW) a holy nation,^[s](BX) a people for his possession,^[t](BY) so that you may proclaim the praises^[u][v](BZ) of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.^{(CA) 10} Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy,^(CB) but now you have received mercy.

A Call to Good Works

¹¹ Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles^(CC) to abstain^(CD) from sinful^(CE) desires that wage war against the soul.^{(CF) 12} Conduct^(CG) yourselves honorably among the Gentiles,^[w] so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.^(CH)

¹³ Submit^(CI) to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor^[x] as the supreme authority^{(CJ) 14} or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. ¹⁵ For it is God’s will^(CK) that you silence the ignorance^(CL) of foolish people by doing good. ¹⁶ Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil,^(CM) but as God’s slaves.^{(CN) 17} Honor everyone. Love^(CO) the brothers and sisters.^(CP) Fear God.^(CQ) Honor the emperor.

Submission of Slaves to Masters

¹⁸ Household slaves, submit to your masters^(CR) with all reverence^(CS) not only to the good and gentle ones but also to the cruel.^{(CT) 19} For it brings favor if, because of a consciousness of God, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. ²⁰ For what credit is there if when you do wrong and are beaten, you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer,^(CU) if you endure it, this brings favor with God.

²¹ For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered^(CV) for you, leaving you an example,^(CW) that you should follow^(CX) in his steps. ²² He did not commit sin,^(CY) and no deceit^(CZ) was found in his mouth;^{[y](DA) 23} when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges^(DB) justly. ²⁴ He himself bore our sins^(DC) in his body^(DD) on the tree;^(DE) so that, having died to sins,^(DF) we might live for righteousness.^(DG) By his wounds^[z](DH) you have been healed. ²⁵ For you were like sheep going astray,^[aa](DI) but you have now returned to the Shepherd^(DJ) and Overseer^[ab] of your souls.

Wives and Husbands

3 In the same way, wives,^(DK) submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the word,^(DL) they may be won over^(DM) without a word by the way their wives live^{(DN) 2} when they observe your pure, reverent lives.^{(DO) 3} Don’t let your beauty consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes,^{(DP) 4} but rather what is inside the heart^[ac](DQ)—the imperishable quality of a gentle^(DR) and quiet^(DS) spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. ⁵ For in the past, the holy^(DT) women who put their hope^(DU) in God also adorned themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands, ⁶ just as Sarah^(DV) obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and do not fear any intimidation.^(DW)

⁷ Husbands,^(DX) in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner,^(DY) showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Do No Evil

⁸ Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another,^(DZ) and be compassionate^(EA) and humble,^{[ad] 9} not paying back evil for evil^(EB) or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing,^(EC) since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

Undeserved Suffering

¹³ Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness,^(EJ) you are blessed. Do not fear them^[ae](EK) or be intimidated,^{[af](EL) 15} but in your hearts regard^[ag] Christ^[ah] the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.^{(EM) 16} Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience,^(EN) so that when you are accused,^[ai] those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer^(EO) for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

¹⁸ For Christ also suffered^(EP) for sins once for all,^(EQ) the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God.^(ER) He was put to death in the flesh^[aj](ES) but made alive by the Spirit,^{[ak] 19} in which^[al] he also went and made proclamation to the spirits^(ET) in prison ²⁰ who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah^(EU) while the ark was being prepared. In it a few—that is, eight people^[am](EV)—were saved through water. ²¹ Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body,^(EW) but the pledge^[an] of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,^{(EX) 22} who has gone into heaven^(EY) and is at the right hand of God^(EZ) with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.^(FA)

Following Christ

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered^[ao] in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding^[ap]—because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished^(FB) with sin^[aq]— ² in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.^{(FC) 3} For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires,^(FD) drunkenness, orgies,^(FE) carousing, and lawless idolatry. ⁴ They are surprised that you don’t join them in the same flood of wild living—and they slander^[ar] you. ⁵ They will give an account to the one who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.^{(FF) 6} For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead,^[as](FG) so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards,^(FH) they might live^(FI) in the spirit according to God’s standards.

End-Time Ethics

⁷ The end of all things is near;^(FJ) therefore, be alert and sober-minded^(FK) for prayer. ⁸ Above all, maintain constant love^(FL) for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.^{[at](FM) 9} Be hospitable^(FN) to one another without complaining. ¹⁰ Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others,^(FO) as good stewards of the varied grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides,^(FP) so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Christian Suffering

¹² Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you.^{(FQ) 13} Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ,^(FR) so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.^{(FS) 14} If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ,^(FT) you are blessed, because the Spirit^(FU) of glory and of God^[au] rests on you. ¹⁵ Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.^{[av] 16} But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name.^{[aw] 17} For the time has come for judgment^(FV) to begin with God’s household,^(FW) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?

¹⁹ So then, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust themselves^(FY) to a faithful Creator while doing what is good.

About the Elders

5 I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness^(FZ) to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed:^{(GA) 2} Shepherd God’s flock among you,^(GB) not overseeing^[ay] out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you;^[az] not out of greed for money but eagerly; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the chief Shepherd^(GC) appears, you will receive the unfading crown^(GD) of glory. ⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with^[ba] humility toward one another, because

Conclusion

⁶ Humble^(GF) yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand^(GG) of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, ⁷ casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.^{(GH) 8} Be sober-minded,^(GI) be alert.^(GJ) Your adversary the devil^(GK) is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. ⁹ Resist him,^(GL) firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.

¹⁰ The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory^(GM) in Christ,^[bc] will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.^{[bd] 11} To him be dominion^[be] forever.^[bf] Amen.

¹² Through Silvanus,^[bg](GN) a faithful brother (as I consider him), I have written to you briefly in order to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! ¹³ She who is in Babylon,^(GO) chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does Mark, my son. ¹⁴ Greet one another with a kiss of love.^(GP) Peace^(GQ) to all of you who are in Christ.^[bh]