1 Peter 1:22 - 2 Peter 3:11

English Standard Version

²² Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for ^(A)a sincere brotherly love, ^(B)love one another earnestly from a pure heart, ^23 (C)since you have been born again, ^(D)not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through ^(E)the living and abiding word of God; ²⁴ for

And this word ^(H)is the good news that was preached to you.

A Living Stone and a Holy People

2 ^(I)So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. ^2 (J)Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual ^(K)milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have ^(L)tasted that the Lord is good.

⁴ As you come to him, a living stone ^(M)rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, ^5 (N)you yourselves like living stones are being built up as ^(O)a spiritual house, to be ^(P)a holy priesthood, ^(Q)to offer spiritual sacrifices ^(R)acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For it stands in Scripture:

⁷ So the honor is for you who ^(U)believe, but for those who ^(V)do not believe,

⁸ and

They stumble because they disobey the word, ^(Y)as they were destined to do.

⁹ But you are ^(Z)a chosen race, ^(AA)a royal ^(AB)priesthood, ^(AC)a holy nation, ^(AD)a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you ^(AE)out of darkness into ^(AF)his marvelous light. ^10 (AG)Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

¹¹ Beloved, I urge you ^(AH)as sojourners and exiles ^(AI)to abstain from the passions of the flesh, ^(AJ)which wage war against your soul. ^12 (AK)Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, ^(AL)they may see your good deeds and glorify God on ^(AM)the day of visitation.

Submission to Authority

^13 (AN)Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution,^[b] whether it be to the emperor^[c] as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors as sent by him ^(AO)to punish those who do evil and ^(AP)to praise those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, ^(AQ)that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. ^16 (AR)Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but ^(AS)living as servants^[d] of God. ^17 (AT)Honor everyone. ^(AU)Love the brotherhood. ^(AV)Fear God. Honor the emperor.

^18 (AW)Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. ¹⁹ For this is a gracious thing, when, ^(AX)mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. ²⁰ For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But ^(AY)if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. ²¹ For ^(AZ)to this you have been called, ^(BA)because Christ also suffered for you, ^(BB)leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. ^22 (BC)He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. ^23 (BD)When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, ^(BE)but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. ^24 (BF)He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we ^(BG)might die to sin and ^(BH)live to righteousness. ^(BI)By his wounds you have been healed. ²⁵ For ^(BJ)you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to ^(BK)the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Wives and Husbands

3 Likewise, wives, ^(BL)be subject to your own husbands, so that ^(BM)even if some do not obey the word, ^(BN)they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, ² when they see your ^(BO)respectful and pure conduct. ^3 (BP)Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— ⁴ but let your adorning be ^(BQ)the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. ⁵ For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, ⁶ as Sarah obeyed Abraham, ^(BR)calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and ^(BS)do not fear anything that is frightening.

⁷ Likewise, ^(BT)husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker ^(BU)vessel, since they are heirs with you^[e] of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Suffering for Righteousness' Sake

⁸ Finally, all of you, ^(BV)have unity of mind, sympathy, ^(BW)brotherly love, ^(BX)a tender heart, and ^(BY)a humble mind. ^9 (BZ)Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, ^(CA)bless, for ^(CB)to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. ¹⁰ For

¹³ Now ^(CD)who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? ^14 (CE)But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. ^(CF)Have no fear of them, ^(CG)nor be troubled, ¹⁵ but ^(CH)in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, ^(CI)always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and ^(CJ)respect, ^16 (CK)having a good conscience, so that, ^(CL)when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. ¹⁷ For ^(CM)it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

¹⁸ For Christ also ^(CN)suffered^{[f] (CO)}once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, ^(CP)that he might bring us to God, being put to death ^(CQ)in the flesh but made alive ^(CR)in the spirit, ¹⁹ in which^[g] he went and ^(CS)proclaimed^[h] to the spirits in prison, ²⁰ because^[i] they formerly did not obey, ^(CT)when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, ^(CU)while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, ^(CV)eight persons, were brought safely through water. ²¹ Baptism, which corresponds to this, ^(CW)now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but ^(CX)as an appeal to God for a good conscience, ^(CY)through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²² who has gone into heaven and ^(CZ)is at the right hand of God, ^(DA)with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Stewards of God's Grace

4 Since therefore ^(DB)Christ suffered in the flesh,^{[j] (DC)}arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for ^(DD)whoever has suffered in the flesh ^(DE)has ceased from sin, ^2 (DF)so as to live for ^(DG)the rest of the time in the flesh ^(DH)no longer for human passions but ^(DI)for the will of God. ³ For the time that is past ^(DJ)suffices ^(DK)for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. ⁴ With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of ^(DL)debauchery, and ^(DM)they malign you; ⁵ but they will give account to him who is ready ^(DN)to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this is why ^(DO)the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

^7 (DP)The end of all things is at hand; therefore ^(DQ)be self-controlled and sober-minded ^(DR)for the sake of your prayers. ⁸ Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since ^(DS)love covers a multitude of sins. ^9 (DT)Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. ^10 (DU)As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, ^(DV)as good stewards of God's varied grace: ¹¹ whoever speaks, as one who speaks ^(DW)oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves ^(DX)by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything ^(DY)God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. ^(DZ)To him belong glory and ^(EA)dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian

¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at ^(EB)the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice ^(EC)insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad ^(ED)when his glory is revealed. ^14 (EE)If you are insulted ^(EF)for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory^[k] and of God rests upon you. ¹⁵ But ^(EG)let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or ^(EH)as a meddler. ¹⁶ Yet ^(EI)if anyone suffers as a ^(EJ)Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God ^(EK)in that name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment ^(EL)to begin at the household of God; and ^(EM)if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who ^(EN)do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And

¹⁹ Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will ^(EP)entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Shepherd the Flock of God

5 So I exhort the elders among you, ^(EQ)as a fellow elder and ^(ER)a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: ^2 (ES)shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,^{[m] (ET)}not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;^{[n] (EU)}not for shameful gain, but eagerly; ³ not ^(EV)domineering over those in your charge, but ^(EW)being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when ^(EX)the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the ^(EY)unfading ^(EZ)crown of glory. ⁵ Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. ^(FA)Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ^(FB)“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

^6 (FC)Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ^7 (FD)casting all your anxieties on him, because ^(FE)he cares for you. ^8 (FF)Be sober-minded; ^(FG)be watchful. Your ^(FH)adversary the devil ^(FI)prowls around ^(FJ)like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ^9 (FK)Resist him, ^(FL)firm in your faith, knowing that ^(FM)the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ¹⁰ And ^(FN)after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, ^(FO)who has called you to his ^(FP)eternal glory in Christ, will himself ^(FQ)restore, ^(FR)confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ^11 (FS)To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

¹² By ^(FT)Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, ^(FU)I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is ^(FV)the true grace of God. ^(FW)Stand firm in it. ¹³ She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does ^(FX)Mark, my son. ^14 (FY)Greet one another with the kiss of love.

^(FZ)Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Greeting

1 Simeon^[o] Peter, a servant^[p] and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained ^(GA)a faith of equal standing with ours ^(GB)by the righteousness of our ^(GC)God and Savior Jesus Christ:

^2 (GD)May grace and peace be multiplied to you ^(GE)in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Confirm Your Calling and Election

³ His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him ^(GF)who called us to^[q] his own glory and excellence,^{[r] 4} by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become ^(GG)partakers of the divine nature, ^(GH)having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith ^(GI)with virtue,^[s] and virtue ^(GJ)with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control ^(GK)with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷ and godliness ^(GL)with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection ^(GM)with love. ⁸ For if these qualities^[t] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or ^(GN)unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he ^(GO)is blind, having forgotten that he was ^(GP)cleansed from his former sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, brothers,^[u] be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and ^(GQ)election, for if you practice these qualities ^(GR)you will never fall. ¹¹ For in this way there will be richly provided for you ^(GS)an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

¹² Therefore I intend ^(GT)always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in ^(GU)the truth that you have. ¹³ I think it right, as long as I am in this ^(GV)body,^{[v] (GW)}to stir you up by way of reminder, ^14 (GX)since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, ^(GY)as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. ¹⁵ And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Christ's Glory and the Prophetic Word

¹⁶ For we did not follow ^(GZ)cleverly devised ^(HA)myths when we made known to you ^(HB)the power and ^(HC)coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but ^(HD)we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷ For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, ^(HE)“This is my beloved Son,^[w] with whom I am well pleased,” ¹⁸ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on ^(HF)the holy mountain. ¹⁹ And ^(HG)we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention ^(HH)as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until ^(HI)the day ^(HJ)dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, ²⁰ knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. ²¹ For ^(HK)no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God ^(HL)as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

False Prophets and Teachers

2 But ^(HM)false prophets also arose among the people, ^(HN)just as there will be false teachers among you, who will ^(HO)secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master ^(HP)who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. ² And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth ^(HQ)will be blasphemed. ³ And ^(HR)in their greed they will exploit you ^(HS)with false words. ^(HT)Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

⁴ For if God did not spare ^(HU)angels when they sinned, but ^(HV)cast them into hell^[x] and committed them to chains^[y] of gloomy darkness ^(HW)to be kept until the judgment; ⁵ if he did not spare the ancient world, but ^(HX)preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought ^(HY)a flood upon the world of the ungodly; ⁶ if by ^(HZ)turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, ^(IA)making them an example of ^(IB)what is going to happen to the ungodly;^{[z] 7} and ^(IC)if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked ⁸ (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, ^(ID)he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); ⁹ then ^(IE)the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials,^[aa] and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, ¹⁰ and especially ^(IF)those who indulge^[ab] in the lust of defiling passion and ^(IG)despise authority.

Bold and willful, they do not tremble ^(IH)as they blaspheme the glorious ones, ^11 (II)whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord. ^12 (IJ)But these, like irrational animals, ^(IK)creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, ¹³ suffering wrong as ^(IL)the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure ^(IM)to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions,^[ac] while ^(IN)they feast with you. ¹⁴ They have eyes full of adultery,^{[ad] (IO)}insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts ^(IP)trained in greed. ^(IQ)Accursed children! ¹⁵ Forsaking the right way, ^(IR)they have gone astray. They have followed ^(IS)the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved ^(IT)gain from wrongdoing, ¹⁶ but was rebuked for his own transgression; ^(IU)a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.

^17 (IV)These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. ^(IW)For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. ¹⁸ For, ^(IX)speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely ^(IY)escaping from those who live in error. ¹⁹ They promise them ^(IZ)freedom, ^(JA)but they themselves are slaves^[ae] of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. ²⁰ For if, ^(JB)after they have escaped the defilements of the world ^(JC)through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, ^(JD)the last state has become worse for them than the first. ²¹ For ^(JE)it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from ^(JF)the holy commandment delivered to them. ²² What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The ^(JG)dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

The Day of the Lord Will Come

3 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them ^(JH)I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, ^2 (JI)that you should remember the predictions of ^(JJ)the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, ³ knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come ^(JK)in the last days with scoffing, ^(JL)following their own sinful desires. ^4 (JM)They will say, “Where is the promise of ^(JN)his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” ⁵ For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth ^(JO)was formed out of water and through water ^(JP)by the word of God, ⁶ and that by means of these the world that then existed ^(JQ)was deluged with water and ^(JR)perished. ⁷ But by the same word ^(JS)the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and ^(JT)destruction of the ungodly.

⁸ But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and ^(JU)a thousand years as one day. ^9 (JV)The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise ^(JW)as some count slowness, but ^(JX)is patient toward you,^{[af] (JY)}not wishing that any should perish, but ^(JZ)that all should reach repentance. ¹⁰ But ^(KA)the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then ^(KB)the heavens will pass away with a roar, and ^(KC)the heavenly bodies^[ag] will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.^[ah]

¹¹ Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, ^(KD)what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,