1 ¶ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God’s elect who live as foreigners scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

2 Chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, to be set apart by the Spirit, unto obedience through the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be yours in abundance.

3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy has caused us to be born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance that is incorruptible, and undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation which is waiting to be revealed at the end of time.

6 ¶ In this you have great joy, even though now for a little while, you may have had to suffer various trials:

7 So that through trial your faith, which is of much greater value than gold, which perishes even though it is tried with fire, may be proved genuine resulting in praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

8 Whom having not seen, you love; and in whom, without now seeing, you believe, and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy:

9 Receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

10 ¶ Concerning this salvation the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, have inquired and searched diligently:

11 Seeking to know what person, or period of time the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating, when it testified in advance about the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that would follow.

12 Unto whom it was revealed, that they were not serving themselves, but you in reporting the things, that have now been proclaimed to you by those who are preaching the gospel to you with the Holy Spirit sent from heaven; things which angels long to look into.

13 ¶ Therefore set your thoughts aright, be sober, and rest your hope solely on the grace being brought to you through the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children, not living according to lust as you formerly did in your ignorance:

15 But as he who has called you is holy, so you should be holy in everything you do;

16 For it is written, Be holy; for I am holy.

17 And if you call on the Father, who impartially judges what each man does, pass the time you are residing here in fear:

18 Knowing that you were not redeemed from the fruitless lifestyle handed down to you by tradition from your fathers, with corruptible things, such as silver and gold;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

20 Who was known by God before the world existed, but was revealed in these last times for you,

21 Who through him believe in God, who raised him from the dead, and glorified him; so that your faith and hope might be in God.

22 Since by obeying the truth you have through the Spirit purified your souls unto sincere love of the brethren, see that you love one another deeply with a pure heart:

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, that lives and abides for ever.

24 ¶ For all flesh is like grass, and all the glory of man like flowers in the grass. The grass withers, and its flowers fall away:

25 But the word of the Lord lasts for ever. And this is the word of the gospel that is preached to you.