Greeting

1Peter,a an apostle of Jesus Christ:

To those chosen, living as exilesb dispersedc abroadA in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,d chosene 2according to the foreknowledgea of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,b to be obedientc and to be sprinkled with the bloodd of Jesus Christ.

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

A Living Hope

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.a Because of his great mercyb he has given us new birthc into a living hoped through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the deade 4and into an inheritance that is imperishable,a undefiled, and unfading, kept in heavenb for you. 5You are being guarded by God’s powera through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.b 6You rejoice in this,A even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trialsa 7so that the proven character of your faitha — more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fireb — may resultc in praise, glory, and honord at the revelation of Jesus Christ.e 8Though you have not seena him, you love him;b though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoicec with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

10Concerning this salvation, the prophets,a who prophesied about the grace that would come to you, searched and carefully investigated. 11They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christa within them was indicating when he testified in advanceb to the sufferings of Christc and the gloriesd that would follow.A 12It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to youa by the Holy Spirit sent from heavenb — angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.

A Call to Holy Living

13Therefore, with your minds ready for action,a be sober-mindedb and set your hopec completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelationd of Jesus Christ. 14As obedient children,a do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. 15But as the one who called youa is holy,b you also are to be holy in all your conduct; 16for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.a b 17If you appeal to the Father who judges impartiallya according to each one’s work,b you are to conduct yourselves in reverencec during your time living as strangers. 18For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of lifea inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold,b 19but with the precious blood of Christ,a like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.b 20He was foreknowna before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last timesb for you. 21Through him you believe in God,a who raised him from the deadb and gave him glory,c so that your faith and hope are in God.

22Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth,A so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other,a from a pureB heart love one another constantly,C b 23because you have been born againa — not of perishable seedb but of imperishable — through the living and enduring word of God.c 24For

All flesh is like grass,

and all its glorya like a flower of the grass.

The grass withers, and the flower falls,

25but the word of the Lord endures forever.a b

And this word is the gospel that was proclaimed to you.