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Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,
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who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
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Praise to God for a Living Hope
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
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who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
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Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.
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Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
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For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
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The Living Stone and a Chosen People
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—
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you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
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For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
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But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
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Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
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Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.
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Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
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For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
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Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.
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Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
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Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.
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For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.
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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.
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When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
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Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
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For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands,
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Husbands, 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.
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For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
