1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Diaspora in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that does not fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, 5who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7that the genuineness of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ-- 8whom not having seen you love; in whom, though now you do not see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy inexpressible and full of glory-- 9receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

10Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them. 12To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

13Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be sober and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires as in your ignorance, 15but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; 16because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

17If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man's work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear: 18knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, 19but with precious blood, as of an unblemished and spotless lamb, namely Christ; 20who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake, 21who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.

22Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from a pure heart fervently: 23having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the living and abiding word of God.

24For, "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower in the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls;

25but the word of the Lord endures forever." This is the word of Good News which was preached to you.