Greeting

1 Peter,^(A) an apostle of Jesus Christ:

To those chosen, living as exiles^(B) dispersed^(C) abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,^(D) chosen^{(E) 2} according to the foreknowledge^(F) of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,^(G) to be obedient^(H) and to be sprinkled with the blood^(I) of Jesus Christ.

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

A Living Hope

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.^(J) Because of his great mercy^(K) he has given us new birth^(L) into a living hope^(M) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead^{(N) 4} and into an inheritance that is imperishable,^(O) undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven^(P) for you. ⁵ You are being guarded by God’s power^(Q) through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.^{(R) 6} You rejoice in this,^[a] even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials^{(S) 7} so that the proven character of your faith^(T) – more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire^(U) – may result^(V) in praise, glory, and honour^(W) at the revelation of Jesus Christ.^{(X) 8} Though you have not seen^(Y) him, you love him;^(Z) though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice^(AA) with inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets,^(AB) who prophesied about the grace that would come to you, searched and carefully investigated. ¹¹ They enquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ^(AC) within them was indicating when he testified in advance^(AD) to the sufferings of Christ^(AE) and the glories^(AF) that would follow.^{[b] 12} It 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 you^(AG) by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven^(AH) – angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.

A Call to Holy Living

¹³ Therefore, with your minds ready for action,^(AI) be sober-minded^(AJ) and set your hope^(AK) completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation^(AL) of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As obedient children,^(AM) do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. ¹⁵ But as the one who called you^(AN) is holy,^(AO) you also are to be holy in all your conduct; ¹⁶ for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.^{[c](AP) 17} If you appeal to the Father who judges impartially^(AQ) according to each one’s work,^(AR) you are to conduct yourselves in reverence^(AS) during your time living as strangers. ¹⁸ For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life^(AT) inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold,^{(AU) 19} but with the precious blood of Christ,^(AV) like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.^{(AW) 20} He was foreknown^(AX) before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times^(AY) for you. ²¹ Through him you believe in God,^(AZ) who raised him from the dead^(BA) and gave him glory,^(BB) so that your faith and hope are in God.

²² Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth,^[d] so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other,^(BC) from a pure^[e] heart love one another constantly,^{[f](BD) 23} because you have been born again^(BE) – not of perishable seed^(BF) but of imperishable – through the living and enduring word of God.^{(BG) 24} For

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