¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?^{(A) 14} But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.^(B) “Do not fear their threats^[a]; do not be frightened.”^{[b](C) 15} But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer^(D) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope^(E) that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience,^(F) so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.^(G)

¹⁹ but with the precious blood^(A) of Christ, a lamb^(B) without blemish or defect.^{(C) 20} He was chosen before the creation of the world,^(D) but was revealed in these last times^(E) for your sake. ²¹ Through him you believe in God,^(F) who raised him from the dead^(G) and glorified him,^(H) and so your faith and hope^(I) are in God.

²² Now that you have purified^(J) yourselves by obeying^(K) the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply,^(L) from the heart.^{[a] 23} For you have been born again,^(M) not of perishable seed, but of imperishable,^(N) through the living and enduring word of God.^(O)

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

⁴ As you come to him, the living Stone^(A)—rejected by humans but chosen by God^(B) and precious to him— ⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built^(C) into a spiritual house^[a](D) to be a holy priesthood,^(E) offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.^{(F) 6} For in Scripture it says:

⁷ Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,^(I)

⁸ and,

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.^(M)

Praise to God for a Living Hope

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!^(A) In his great mercy^(B) he has given us new birth^(C) into a living hope^(D) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,^{(E) 4} and into an inheritance^(F) that can never perish, spoil or fade.^(G) This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,^{(H) 5} who through faith are shielded by God’s power^(I) until the coming of the salvation^(J) that is ready to be revealed^(K) in the last time. ⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice,^(L) though now for a little while^(M) you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.^{(N) 7} These have come so that the proven genuineness^(O) of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire^(P)—may result in praise, glory and honor^(Q) when Jesus Christ is revealed.^{(R) 8} Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him^(S) and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.^(T)

¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness^(A) and brought us into the kingdom^(B) of the Son he loves,^{(C) 14} in whom we have redemption,^(D) the forgiveness of sins.^(E)

The Supremacy of the Son of God

¹⁵ The Son is the image^(F) of the invisible God,^(G) the firstborn^(H) over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created:^(I) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;^(J) all things have been created through him and for him.^{(K) 17} He is before all things,^(L) and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head^(M) of the body, the church;^(N) he is the beginning and the firstborn^(O) from among the dead,^(P) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased^(Q) to have all his fullness^(R) dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile^(S) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,^(T) by making peace^(U) through his blood,^(V) shed on the cross.

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(W) in your minds^(X) because of^[a] your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled^(Y) you by Christ’s physical body^(Z) through death to present you^(AA) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation^(AB)— ²³ if you continue^(AC) in your faith, established^(AD) and firm, and do not move from the hope^(AE) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,^(AF) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.^(AG)

²⁰ built^(A) on the foundation^(B) of the apostles and prophets,^(C) with Christ Jesus himself^(D) as the chief cornerstone.^(E)

²³ I will show the holiness of my great name,^(A) which has been profaned^(B) among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord,^(C) declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy^(D) through you before their eyes.^(E)