The First of Peter
1 Peter,* an apostle+ of Jesus Christ, to the temporary residents+ scattered about*+ in Ponʹtus, Ga·laʹti·a, Cap·pa·doʹci·a,+ Asia, and Bi·thynʹi·a, to the ones chosen+ 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,+ with sanctification by the spirit,+ for the purpose of their being obedient and sprinkled+ with the blood of Jesus Christ:+
May undeserved kindness and peace be increased to YOU.+
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,+ for according to his great mercy he gave us a new birth*+ to a living hope+ through the resurrection+ of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an incorruptible and undefiled and unfading inheritance.+ It is reserved* in the heavens for YOU,+ 5 who are being safeguarded* by God’s power through faith+ for a salvation+ ready to be revealed+ in the last period of time.+ 6 In this fact YOU are greatly rejoicing, though for a little while at present, if it must be, YOU have been grieved by various trials,+ 7 in order that the tested quality* of YOUR faith,+ of much greater value than gold that perishes despite its being proved by fire,+ may be found a cause for praise and glory and honor at the revelation*+ of Jesus Christ. 8 Though YOU never saw him, YOU love him.+ Though YOU are not looking upon him at present, yet YOU exercise faith in him and are greatly rejoicing with an unspeakable and glorified joy, 9 as YOU receive* the end* of YOUR faith, the salvation of YOUR souls.+
10 Concerning this very salvation a diligent inquiry and a careful search+ were made by the prophets who prophesied+ about the undeserved kindness meant for YOU.+ 11 They kept on investigating* what particular season+ or what sort of [season] the spirit+ in them was indicating concerning Christ*+ when it was bearing witness beforehand about the sufferings for Christ+ and about the glories+ to follow these. 12 It was revealed to them that, not to themselves,+ but to YOU, they were ministering the things that have now been announced+ to YOU through those who have declared the good news to YOU with holy spirit+ sent forth from heaven. Into these very things angels are desiring to peer.*+
13 Hence brace up YOUR minds for activity,*+ keep YOUR senses completely;+ set YOUR hope* upon the undeserved kindness+ that is to be brought to YOU at the revelation+ of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children,* quit being fashioned+ according to the desires YOU formerly had in YOUR ignorance, 15 but, in accord with the Holy One who called YOU, do YOU also become holy yourselves in all [YOUR] conduct,+ 16 because it is written: “YOU must be holy, because I am holy.”+
17 Furthermore, if YOU are calling upon the Father who judges impartially*+ according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves with fear+ during the time of YOUR alien residence.+ 18 For YOU know that it was not with corruptible things,+ with silver or gold, that YOU were delivered*+ from YOUR fruitless form of conduct received by tradition from YOUR forefathers. 19 But it was with precious blood,+ like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb,+ even Christ’s.+ 20 True, he was foreknown before the founding*+ of the world, but he was made manifest at the end of the times for the sake of YOU+ 21 who through him are believers in God,+ the one who raised him up from the dead+ and gave him glory;+ so that YOUR faith and hope might be in God.+
22 Now that YOU have purified+ YOUR souls* by [YOUR] obedience to the truth with unhypocritical brotherly affection+ as the result, love one another intensely* from the heart.+ 23 For YOU have been given a new birth,+ not by corruptible,+ but by incorruptible+ [reproductive] seed,*+ through the word+ of [the] living and enduring+ God. 24 For “all flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like a blossom of grass;+ the grass becomes withered, and the flower falls off,+ 25 but the saying of Jehovah* endures forever.”+ Well, this is the “saying,”+ this which has been declared+ to YOU as good news.