1 Peter 2:4-5:11

Holman Christian Standard Bible

⁴Coming to Him, a living stone—rejected by men but chosen and valuable to God— ⁵you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God^(A) through Jesus Christ. ⁶For it is contained in Scripture:

Look! I lay a stone in Zion,^(B)
a chosen and honored^[a] cornerstone,^[b]^(C)
and the one who believes in Him
will never be put to shame!^[c]^(D)^[d]

⁷So honor will come to you who believe, but for the unbelieving,

The stone that the builders rejected—
this One has become the cornerstone,^(E)^[e]

⁸and

A stone to stumble over,^[f]
and a rock to trip over.^[g]^(F)^[h]

They stumble because they disobey the message; they were destined^(G) for this.

⁹But you are a chosen race,^[i]^(H)^[j] a royal priesthood,^(I)^[k]
a holy nation,^(J)^[l] a people for His possession,^(K)^[m]
so that you may proclaim the praises^[n]^(L)^[o]
of the One who called you out of darkness
into His marvelous light.^(M)
¹⁰Once you were not a people,
but now you are God’s people;
you had not received mercy,^(N)
but now you have received mercy.

A Call to Good Works

¹¹Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and temporary residents^(O) to abstain^(P) from fleshly^(Q) desires that war against you.^[p]^(R) ¹²Conduct^(S) yourselves honorably among the Gentiles,^[q] so that in a case where they speak against you as those who do what is evil, they will, by observing your good works, glorify God on the day of visitation.^[r]^(T)

¹³Submit^(U) to every human authority^[s] because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor^[t] as the supreme authority^(V) ¹⁴or 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. ¹⁵For it is God’s will^(W) that you silence the ignorance^(X) of foolish people by doing good. ¹⁶As God’s slaves,^(Y) live as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil.^(Z) ¹⁷Honor everyone. Love^(AA) the brotherhood.^(AB) Fear God.^(AC) Honor the Emperor.^[u]

Submission of Slaves to Masters

¹⁸Household slaves, submit with all fear^(AD) to your masters,^(AE) not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel.^[v]^(AF) ¹⁹For it brings favor^[w] if, mindful of God’s will,^[x]^[y] someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. ²⁰For what credit is there if you sin and are punished, and you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer,^(AG) if you endure it, this brings favor with God.

²¹For you were called to this,
because Christ also suffered^(AH) for you,
leaving you an example,^(AI)
so that you should follow^(AJ) in His steps.
²²He did not commit sin,^(AK)
and no deceit^(AL) was found in His mouth;^(AM)^[z]
²³when He was reviled,
He did not revile in return;
when He was suffering,
He did not threaten
but entrusted Himself to the One who judges^(AN) justly.
²⁴He Himself bore our sins^(AO)
in His body^(AP) on the tree,^(AQ)
so that, having died to sins,^(AR)
we might live for righteousness;^(AS)
you have been healed by His wounds.^(AT)^[aa]
²⁵For you were like sheep going astray,^(AU)^[ab]
but you have now returned
to the Shepherd^(AV) and Guardian^[ac] of your souls.

Wives and Husbands

3 In the same way, wives,^(AW) submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the Christian message,^(AX) they may be won over^[ad]^(AY) without a message by the way their wives live^(AZ) ²when they observe your pure, reverent lives.^(BA) ³Your beauty should not consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold ornaments^[ae] or fine clothes.^(BB) ⁴Instead, it should consist of what is inside^[af] the heart^(BC) with the imperishable quality of a gentle^(BD) and quiet^(BE) spirit, which is very valuable in God’s eyes. ⁵For in the past, the holy^(BF) women who put their hope^(BG) in God also beautified themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands, ⁶just as Sarah^(BH) obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and are not frightened by anything alarming.^(BI)

⁷Husbands,^(BJ) in the same way, live with your wives with an understanding of their weaker nature^[ag]^(BK) yet showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Do No Evil

⁸Now finally, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, should love believers,^[ah]^(BL) and be compassionate^(BM) and humble,^[ai] ⁹not paying back evil for evil^(BN) or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing,^(BO) since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing.

¹⁰For the^(BP) one who wants to love life
and to see good days
must keep his tongue from evil^(BQ)
and his lips from speaking deceit,^(BR)
¹¹and he must turn away^(BS) from evil
and do what is good.
He must seek peace^(BT) and pursue it,
¹²because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and His ears are open to their request.
But the face of the Lord is against
those who do what is evil.^[aj]

Undeserved Suffering

¹³And who will harm^[ak] you if you are deeply committed to what is good?^[al] ¹⁴But even if you should suffer for righteousness,^(BU) you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear^(BV) or be disturbed,^(BW)^[am] ¹⁵but honor^[an] the Messiah^[ao] as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason^[ap] for the hope that is in you.^(BX) ¹⁶However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear,^[aq]^[ar]^(BY) so that when you are accused,^[as] those who denounce your Christian life^[at] will be put to shame. ¹⁷For it is better to suffer^(BZ) for doing good, if that should be God’s will,^[au] than for doing evil.

¹⁸For Christ also suffered^(CA) for sins once for all,^[av]^(CB)
the righteous for the unrighteous,^[aw]
that He might bring you^[ax] to God,^(CC)
after being put to death in the fleshly realm^[ay]^(CD)
but made alive in the spiritual realm.^[az]

¹⁹In that state^[ba] He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits^(CE) in prison^[bb] ²⁰who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah^(CF) while an ark was being prepared. In it a few—that is, eight people^[bc]^(CG)—were saved through water. ²¹Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not the removal of the filth of the flesh,^(CH) but the pledge^[bd] of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.^(CI) ²²Now that He has gone into heaven,^(CJ) He is at God’s right hand^(CK) with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.^(CL)

Following Christ

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered^[be] in the flesh,^[bf] equip^[bg] yourselves also with the same resolve^[bh]—because the one who suffered in the flesh has finished^(CM) with sin^[bi]— ²in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires,^[bj] but for God’s will.^(CN) ³For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the pagans choose to do:^[bk] carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires,^(CO) drunkenness, orgies,^(CP) carousing, and lawless idolatry. ⁴So they are surprised that you don’t plunge with them into the same flood^[bl] of wild living—and they slander you. ⁵They will give an account to the One who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.^(CQ) ⁶For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead,^(CR) so that, although they might be judged by men in the fleshly^(CS) realm,^[bm] they might live^(CT) by God in the spiritual realm.^[bn]

End-Time Ethics

⁷Now the end of all things is near;^(CU) therefore, be serious and disciplined^(CV) for prayer. ⁸Above all, maintain an intense love^(CW) for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins.^(CX)^[bo] ⁹Be hospitable^(CY) to one another without complaining. ¹⁰Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others,^(CZ) as good managers of the varied grace of God. ¹¹If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides,^(DA) so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Christian Suffering

¹²Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal^[bp] comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.^(DB) ¹³Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah,^(DC) so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation^(DD) of His glory. ¹⁴If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ,^(DE) you are blessed, because the Spirit^(DF) of glory and of God rests on you.^[bq] ¹⁵None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.^[br] ¹⁶But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name. ¹⁷For the time has come for judgment^(DG) to begin with God’s household,^(DH) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?

¹⁸And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?^(DI)^[bs]

¹⁹So those who suffer according to God’s will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves^(DJ) to a faithful Creator.

About the Elders

5 Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness^(DK) to the sufferings of the Messiah and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed,^(DL) I exhort the elders among you: ²Shepherd God’s flock among you,^(DM) not overseeing^[bt] out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will;^[bu] not for the money but eagerly; ³not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴And when the chief Shepherd^(DN) appears, you will receive the unfading crown^(DO) of glory.

⁵In the same way, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with^[bv] humility toward one another, because

God resists the proud
but gives grace to the humble.^(DP)^[bw]

⁶Humble^(DQ) yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand^(DR) of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,^[bx] ⁷casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.^(DS)

Conclusion

⁸Be serious!^(DT) Be alert!^(DU) Your adversary the Devil^(DV) is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. ⁹Resist him^(DW) and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.

¹⁰Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory^(DX) in Christ Jesus, will personally^[by] restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.^[bz] ¹¹The dominion^[ca] belongs to Him forever.^[cb] Amen.

Footnotes

1 Peter 2:6 Or valuable
1 Peter 2:6 Lit head of the corner
1 Peter 2:6 Or be disappointed
1 Peter 2:6 Is 28:16 LXX
1 Peter 2:7 Ps 118:22
1 Peter 2:8 Or a stone causing stumbling
1 Peter 2:8 Or a rock to trip over
1 Peter 2:8 Is 8:14
1 Peter 2:9 Or generation, or nation
1 Peter 2:9 Dt 7:6; 10:15; Is 43:20 LXX
1 Peter 2:9 Ex 19:6; 23:22 LXX; Is 61:6
1 Peter 2:9 Ex 19:6; 23:22 LXX
1 Peter 2:9 Ex 19:5; 23:22 LXX; Dt 4:20; 7:6; Is 43:21 LXX
1 Peter 2:9 Or the mighty deeds
1 Peter 2:9 Is 42:12; 43:21
1 Peter 2:11 Or against the soul
1 Peter 2:12 Or among the nations, or among the pagans
1 Peter 2:12 The day when God intervenes in human history, either in grace or in judgment
1 Peter 2:13 Or creature
1 Peter 2:13 Lit king
1 Peter 2:17 Lit king
1 Peter 2:18 Or unscrupulous; lit crooked
1 Peter 2:19 Other mss add with God
1 Peter 2:19 Other mss read if, because of a good conscience
1 Peter 2:19 Lit if, because of conscience toward God
1 Peter 2:22 Is 53:9
1 Peter 2:24 Is 53:5
1 Peter 2:25 Is 53:6
1 Peter 2:25 Or Overseer
1 Peter 3:1 Lit may be gained
1 Peter 3:3 Lit and of putting around of gold items
1 Peter 3:4 Lit Instead, the hidden man of
1 Peter 3:7 Lit understanding as the weaker vessel
1 Peter 3:8 Lit sympathetic, loving the brothers
1 Peter 3:8 Other mss read courteous
1 Peter 3:12 Ps 34:12-16
1 Peter 3:13 Or mistreat, or do evil to
1 Peter 3:13 Or you are partisans for the good; lit you are zealots
1 Peter 3:14 Is 8:12
1 Peter 3:15 Or sanctify; lit set apart
1 Peter 3:15 Other mss read set God
1 Peter 3:15 Or who demands of you an accounting
1 Peter 3:16 Lit good
1 Peter 3:16 Or keeping a clear conscience
1 Peter 3:16 Other mss read when they speak against you as evildoers
1 Peter 3:16 Lit your good behavior in Christ
1 Peter 3:17 Lit if the will of God should will
1 Peter 3:18 Other mss read died for sins on our behalf; other mss read died for our sins; other mss read died for sins on your behalf
1 Peter 3:18 Or the Righteous One in the place of the unrighteous many
1 Peter 3:18 Other mss read us
1 Peter 3:18 Or in the flesh
1 Peter 3:18 Or in the spirit, or in the Spirit
1 Peter 3:19 Or In whom, or At that time, or In which
1 Peter 3:19 Perhaps fallen supernatural beings or angels; 2Pt 2:4; Jd 6
1 Peter 3:20 Lit souls
1 Peter 3:21 Or the appeal
1 Peter 4:1 Other mss read suffered for us
1 Peter 4:1 The phrase “in the flesh” probably means in human experience.
1 Peter 4:1 Or arm
1 Peter 4:1 Or perspective, or attitude
1 Peter 4:1 Or the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin
1 Peter 4:2 Lit for desires of human beings
1 Peter 4:3 Or Gentiles
1 Peter 4:4 Lit you don’t run with them into the same pouring out
1 Peter 4:6 Or in the flesh
1 Peter 4:6 Or in the spirit
1 Peter 4:8 Pr 10:12
1 Peter 4:12 Lit the burning
1 Peter 4:14 Other mss add He is blasphemed because of them, but He is glorified because of you.
1 Peter 4:15 Or as one who defrauds others
1 Peter 4:18 Pr 11:31 LXX
1 Peter 5:2 Other mss omit overseeing
1 Peter 5:2 Other mss omit according to God’s will
1 Peter 5:5 Lit you tie around yourselves
1 Peter 5:5 Pr 3:34 LXX
1 Peter 5:6 Lit in time
1 Peter 5:10 Lit Himself
1 Peter 5:10 Or a little while, or to a small extent
1 Peter 5:11 Other mss read dominion and glory; other mss read glory and dominion
1 Peter 5:11 Other mss read forever and ever