1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (provinces that make up nearly all of Asia Minor), 2Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God, the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with His blood: Grace and peace be multiplied in abundance to you.

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who, according to His abundant mercy, has given us new birth into a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4Into an imperishable inheritance reserved in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, that cannot fade away, 5You, who are preserved by the power of God through faith unto salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may need to endure many kinds of testing. 7Such trials serve to test and prove the genuineness of your faith – faith that is much more precious than gold - faith which is also proven and refined with fire; but noy like gold that can be lost. This faith, if it is found in you at the appearing of Jesus Christ, unlike gold, will bring you praise, honor and glory. 8And though you do not see Him now, yet you believe in and love Him, and are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9For you are receiving the reward – the end result - of your faith: the salvation of your souls. 10This is that salvation about which the prophets have searched and inquired diligently, who prophesied of this gracious salvation that should come to you,

11As they (the prophets) tried to learn when, and under what circumstances the Spirit of Christ, Who was within them, was signifying, when He testified beforehand (predicted) the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that would follow. 12It was revealed to those prophets, not to and for themselves, but it was to us they were announcing the things that have now been told to you by those that have preached the Good News (gospel) to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. These are the things which the angels eagerly desired to look into.

13Therefore, prepare your minds to be soberly alert, and set your focus on the gracious salvation brought to you by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14And as obedient children, do not be conformed and driven by the passions of your former ignorant lusts. 15But, just as He Who has called you is holy, be holy also in your conduct and way of life, 16Because, as it is written, “You must be you holy; for I am holy.” (Lev.11:44-45) . 17And remember that your Father judges all persons impartially according to their conduct; and with that in mind, so spend your time as foreigners here, in reverent fear. 18For, as you know, you were not redeemed by corruptible things like silver or gold from the vain and empty lifestyle you had learned from your fathers; 19But you were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, as a Lamb without blemish or defect. 20Jesus Christ was chosen and foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21It is by and through Him that you came to believe in God, Who raised Him up from the dead, and glorified Him, that your faith and hope might be in God.

22And now, since you have been cleansed from your sins by your obedience to the truth through the Spirit, so that you have sincere love for your brothers and sisters, fellow believers, see that you love one another deeply, with a pure heart. 23For you have been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible - by the living and enduring Word of God, Who lives and abides forever. 24For as the Scripture says, “All of mankind is like grass, and all the glory of man is like the flower of grass. But grass withers, and its flower falls away, 25But the word of the Lord endures forever.” (Job 14:2, Ps.103:15, Is.40:6,15:12). And this is the Good News that was preached to you.