Chapter 1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, chosen

unto the sanctification of the Spirit according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, unto obedience to Jesus Christ and the sprinkling of his blood: grace and peace be given you in abundance. Thanksgiving

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has begotten us again, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto a living hope,

unto an incorruptible inheritance---undefiled and unfading, reserved for you in heaven.

By the power of God you are guarded through faith for salvation, which is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Over this you rejoice; though now for a little while, if need be, you are made sorrowful by various trials,

that the temper of your faith---more precious by far than gold which is tried by fire---may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Him, though you have not seen, you love. In him, though you do not see him, yet believing, you exult with a joy unspeakable and triumphant;

receiving, as the final issue of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The prophets who foretold the grace that was to come for you made earnest inquiry and search concerning this salvation.

They searched what time or circumstances the Spirit of Christ in them was signifying, when he foretold the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow.

To them it was revealed that not to themselves but to you they were ministering those things which now have been declared to you by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Into these things angels desire to look. Filial Obedience and Fear

Therefore, having girded up the loins of your understanding, be sober and set your hope completely upon that grace which is brought to you in the revelation of Jesus Christ.

As obedient children, do not conform to the lusts of former days when you were ignorant;

but as the One who called you is holy, be you also holy in all your behavior;

for it is written, "You shall be holy, because I am holy."

And if you invoke as Father him who without respect of persons judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves with fear in the time of your sojourning.

You know that you were redeemed from the vain manner of life handed down from your fathers,

not with perishable things, with silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Foreknown, indeed, before the foundation of the world, he has been manifested in the last times for your sakes.

Through him you are believers in God who raised him up from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope might be in God. Brotherly Love

Now that your obedience to charity has purified your souls for a brotherly love that is sincere, love one another heartily and intensely.

For you have been reborn, not from corruptible seed but from incorruptible, through the word of God who lives and abides forever.

For, "All flesh is as grass, and all its glory as the flower of grass; The grass withered, and the flower has fallen---

but the word of the Lord endures forever." Now this is the word of the gospel that was preached to you.