and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.

You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials

so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy,

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 by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.

A Call to Holy Living

Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance.

But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct;

for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.

For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold,

Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

because you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God.

For All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like a flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,

but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this word is the gospel that was proclaimed to you.

The Living Stone and a Holy People

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander.

if you have tasted that the Lord is good.

As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God—

For it stands in Scripture: See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and honored cornerstone, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good.

For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.

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

Submission of Slaves to Masters

Household slaves, submit to your masters with all reverence not only to the good and gentle ones but also to the cruel.