1 Peter an Apostle of Jesus Christ to the sojourners scattered thro' Pontus,
2 Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect (according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father) thro' sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. Grace and peace be multiplied to you.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again to a living hope, by the resurrection of Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God thro' faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, tho' now for a little while (if need be) ye are in heaviness thro' manifold temptations.
7 That the trial of your faith, which is much more precious than gold, (that perisheth, tho' it be tried with fire) may be found unto praise, and honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
8 Whom having not seen, ye love: in whom tho' ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, Receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
9 Of which salvation the prophets enquired and searched diligently,
10 who prophesied of the grace of God toward you.
11 Searching what, and what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them signified, when he testified before hand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that should follow.
12 To whom it was revealed, that not for themselves, but for us they ministered the things which have been now declared to you by them that have preached the gospel to you, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven: which things angels desire to look into.
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be watchful and hope perfectly for the grace that is brought you by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
14 As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to your former desires, in your ignorance;
15 But as he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation:
16 For it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear:
18 Seeing ye know ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation delivered by tradition from your fathers,
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot,
20 Who verily was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was manifested in these last times for you,
21 Who thro' him believe in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope, might be in God.
22 Having purified your souls by obeying the truth thro' the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever.
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass: The grass is withered, and the flower thereof is fallen off;
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which is preached to you by the gospel.