These trials are so that the true metal of your faith (far more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire) may come to light in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Messiah Yeshua.

receiving the outcome of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

The prophets, who spoke about the grace that was to be yours, searched for this salvation and investigated carefully.

A Call to Be Holy

So brace your minds for action. Keep your balance. And set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Yeshua the Messiah.

Like obedient children, do not be shaped by the cravings you had formerly in your ignorance.

Instead, just like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in everything you do.

You know that you were redeemed from the futile way of life handed down from your ancestors—not with perishable things such as silver or gold,

He was chosen before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.

Through Him you are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your trust and hope are in God.

Now that you have purified your souls in obedience to the truth, leading to sincere brotherly love, love one another fervently from a pure heart.

Keep your conduct honorable among the Gentiles. Then while they speak against you as evildoers, they may—from noticing your good deeds—glorify God in the day of visitation.

Respect and Order

For the Lord’s sake, submit yourselves to every human authority—whether to a king as supreme,

Live as free people, but not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil. Rather, live as God’s slaves.

Slaves, with all respect submit yourselves to your masters—not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are harsh.

For you like sheep were going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

Likewise, wives, be submitted to your own husbands so that—even if some do not obey the message—by the wives’ conduct, without a word they may be won over

as they observe your pure, reverent conduct.

Don’t let your beauty be external—braiding the hair and wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes.

In the same way, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way. Though they are weaker partners, honor them as equal heirs of the grace of life. In this way, your prayers will not be hindered.

Instead sanctify Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,

yet with humility and reverence—keeping a clear conscience so that, whatever you are accused of, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Messiah may be put to shame.

Long ago they disobeyed while God kept waiting patiently, in the days of Noah as the ark was being built. In that ark a few (that is, eight souls) were brought safely through water.

How to Live in the Last Days

Therefore, since Messiah suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same attitude. For the one who has suffered in the flesh is finished with sin.

As a result, he lives the rest of his time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.

Above all, keep your love for one another constant, for “love covers a multitude of sins.”