aPeter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who reside as baliens, cscattered throughout dPontus, eGalatia, dCappadocia, dAsia, and fBithynia, gwho are chosen
2according to the aforeknowledge of God the Father, bby the sanctifying work of the Spirit, 1to cobey Jesus Christ and be dsprinkled with His blood: eMay grace and peace 2be yours in the fullest measure.
3aBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who baccording to His great mercy chas caused us to be born again to da living hope through the eresurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4to obtain an ainheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and bwill not fade away, creserved in heaven for you,
5who are aprotected by the power of God bthrough faith for ca salvation ready dto be revealed in the last time.
6aIn this you greatly rejoice, even though now bfor a little while, cif necessary, you have been distressed by dvarious 1trials,
7so that the 1 aproof of your faith, being more precious than gold which 2is perishable, beven though tested by fire, cmay be found to result in praise and glory and honor at dthe revelation of Jesus Christ;
8and athough you have not seen Him, you blove Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and 1full of glory,
9obtaining as athe outcome of your faith the salvation of 1your souls.
10aAs to this salvation, the prophets who bprophesied of the cgrace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries,
111seeking to know what person or time athe Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He bpredicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories 2to follow.
12It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who apreached the gospel to you by bthe Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things into which cangels long to 1look.
13Therefore, 1 aprepare your minds for action, 2 bkeep sober in spirit, fix your chope completely on the dgrace 3to be brought to you at ethe revelation of Jesus Christ.
14As 1 aobedient children, do not 2 bbe conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your cignorance,
15but 1 alike the Holy One who called you, 2 bbe holy yourselves also cin all your behavior;
16because it is written, " aYOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."
17If you aaddress as Father the One who bimpartially cjudges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves din fear during the time of your estay on earth;
18knowing that you were not 1 aredeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your bfutile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
19but with precious ablood, as of a blamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
20For He was aforeknown before bthe foundation of the world, but has cappeared 1in these last times dfor the sake of you
21who through Him are abelievers in God, who raised Him from the dead and bgave Him glory, so that your faith and chope are in God.
22Since you have ain obedience to the truth bpurified your souls for a 1 csincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from 2the heart,
23for you have been aborn again bnot of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring cword of God.
24For, " aALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,
25aBUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER." And this is bthe word which was 1preached to you.