Greeting to the Elect Pilgrims
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
# To the pilgrimsof the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 electaccording to the foreknowledge of God the Father,in sanctification of the Spirit, forobedience andsprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:
# Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
A Heavenly Inheritance
3 Blessedbethe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whoaccording to His abundant mercyhas begotten us again to a living hopethrough the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away,reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though nowfor a little while, if need be,you have been grieved by various trials,
7 thatthe genuineness of your faith,beingmuch more precious than gold that perishes, thoughit is tested by fire,may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
8 whom having not seen you love.Though now you do not seeHim,yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation ofyoursouls.
10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the gracethatwouldcometo you,
11 searching what, or what manner of time,the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things whichangels desire to look into.
Living Before God Our Father
13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and restyourhope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 as obedient children, notconforming yourselves to the former lusts,asin your ignorance;
15 but as He who called youisholy, you also be holy in allyourconduct,
16 because it is written,“Be holy, for I am holy.”
17 And if you call on the Father, whowithout partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stayherein fear;
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things,likesilver or gold, from your aimless conductreceivedby tradition from your fathers,
19 butwith the precious blood of Christ,as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifestin these last times for you
21 who through Him believe in God,who raised Him from the dead andgave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
The Enduring Word
22 Since youhave purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincerelove of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible,through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
24 because
# “All fleshisas grass,
And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.
The grass withers,
And its flower falls away,
25 But the word of theLordendures forever.”
# Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.