1
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,a to the elect sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, reserved in the heavens for {you},b 5 who are guarded by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not {seen}c you love; and though now you do not see him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of [your]d faith, the salvation of souls.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that would come to you searched and carefully investigated, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To whom it was revealed that not for themselves, but {for you},e they were serving these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, into which things angels desire to look.
13 Therefore, having girded up the loins of your mind, being sober, set your hope fully on the grace that is being brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts in your ignorance; 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 For it is written, “{You will be}f holy, for I am holy.”g
17 And if you call upon the Father, who judges impartially according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your exile; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things, with silver or gold, from your futile way of life handed down from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for your sake, 21 who through him {are faithful to}h God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
22 Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth [[through the Spirit]]i for sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from [a pure]j heart. 23 Having been born again, not from perishable seed but imperishable, through the living and word of God, enduring [[forever]],k 24 for “All flesh is as grass, and {all its glory}l is like the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and {the}m flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”no
This is the message that was preached to you.