1 Peter 1

Williams(i) 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the foreign-born Jews who are scattered over Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 the people chosen in accordance with the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the consecration of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood: spiritual blessing and peace to you in increasing abundance. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In accordance with His great mercy He has begotten us anew to an ever living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; 4 yes, to an inheritance that is imperishable, unsullied, and unfading, which is kept in heaven for you 5 who are always guarded by the power of God through faith, in order that you may receive that final salvation which will be ready to be uncovered for you at the last time. 6 In such a hope keep on rejoicing, although for a little while you must be sorrow-stricken with various trials, 7 so that the genuineness of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even after it is shown by the test of fire to be genuine, may result in your praise and glory and honor at the unveiling of Jesus Christ. 8 You must continue to love Him, although you have never seen Him, but because you do believe in Him, although you do not now see Him, you must continue to rejoice with an unutterable and triumphant joy, 9 because you will receive the goal of your faith, the ultimate salvation of your souls. 10 Even the prophets, who prophesied about the spiritual blessing meant for you, made careful investigations and persistent research about this salvation, 11 earnestly trying to find out the time, and the nature of the times, which the Spirit of the Christ within them pointed to, in foretelling the sufferings of the Christ and the glory that should follow them. 12 It was made known to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in their searching for these things that have already been told to you by those who through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven brought you the good news. The angels long to take a peep into these things. 13 Therefore, as a means of spiritual preparation, tighten up the belt about your minds, keep perfectly calm, keep your hope on the spiritual blessing to be conferred upon you at the unveiling of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, stop molding your character by the evil desires you used to cherish when you did not know any better, 15 but in accordance with the Holy Being who has called you, you must prove to be holy too, 16 for the Scripture says: "You ought to be holy, because I am holy." 17 And if you address as Father, Him who judges everyone impartially in accordance with what he does, you must live reverently all your fleeting stay on earth, 18 because you know that you have not been ransomed with things that perish as silver or gold, from the futile way of living taught by your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without a blemish or a blot, 20 who was foreordained for it before the foundation of the world but was brought out to public view at the end of the ages, for the sake of you 21 who through Him trust in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory; so that your faith and hope may rest in God. 22 Since you have purified your souls by obeying the truth, in sincere love for the brotherhood you must love one another heartily and fervently, 23 because you have been born anew, not from a germ that perishes but from one that does not perish, by the word of the living and everlasting God. 24 For "All human life is just like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass dries up; the flowers drop off. 25 But the word of the Lord lives on forever"; that is, the message of the good news which has been brought to you.