1 Peter 1
“Peter, an apostle of JESUS CHRIST,
To
those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia,
Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 according
to the foreknowledge of GOD THE FATHER, in the sanctification
of THE SPIRIT, for obedience to JESUS CHRIST and for sprinkling with HIS
blood:
May GRACE AND PEACE be
multiplied to you.
3 Blessed
be the GOD AND FATHER of OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!
ACCORDING
TO HIS GREAT MERCY, HE HAS CAUSED US TO BE BORN AGAIN TO A LIVING HOPE
through the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST from the dead,
4 to an
inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in
heaven for you,
5 who
by GOD's
power are being guarded through FAITH for a SALVATION ready to be revealed in the
last time.
6 In
this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been
grieved by various trials,
7 so
that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that
perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result
in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of JESUS CHRIST.
8 Though
you have not seen HIM, you love HIM. Though you do not now see HIM, you
believe in HIM and rejoice with JOY THAT IS INEXPRESSIBLE AND FILLED WITH GLORY.
9 obtaining THE OUTCOME OF YOUR FAITH,
THE SALVATION OF YOUR
SOULS.
10 Concerning
THIS SALVATION, the
prophets who prophesied about THE GRACE that was to be yours searched and inquired
carefully,
11 inquiring what
person or time THE
SPIRIT OF CHRIST in them was indicating when he
predicted the SUFFERINGS
OF CHRIST and the subsequent glories.
12 It
was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the
things that have now been announced to you through those who preached THE GOOD NEWS to
you by THE HOLY SPIRIT sent from heaven, things into which
angels long to look.
Called to Be Holy
13 Therefore, preparing
your minds for action, and being
sober-minded, set your hope fully on THE GRACE THAT WILL BE BROUGHT TO YOU at the
revelation of JESUS
CHRIST.
14 As
obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former
ignorance,
15 but as
HE WHO CALLED YOU IS HOLY, you also be holy in all your conduct,
16 since
it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I AM HOLY.’
17 And
if you call on HIM as FATHER WHO judges impartially
according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the
time of your exile,
18 knowing
that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your
forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
19 but with
THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST,
LIKE THAT OF A LAMB WITHOUT BLEMISH OR SPOT.
20 HE
was FOREKNOWN BEFORE
THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD but was
made manifest in the last times for the sake of you
21 who
through HIM are believers in GOD, WHO raised HIM from the dead
and gave HIM glory, so that your faith and hope are in GOD.
22 Having
purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly
love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
23 since
you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable,
through THE LIVING
AND ABIDING WORD OF GOD;
24 for
“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
25 but THE WORD OF THE LORD remains forever.”
And
this word is THE
GOOD NEWS that was preached to you.”
