For who is going to harm you if you are devoted to what is good?

For you were going astray like sheep but now you have turned back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

And he must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

Like obedient children, do not comply with the evil urges you used to follow in your ignorance,

And yearn like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation,

and a stumbling-stone and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps.

So they are astonished when you do not rush with them into the same flood of wickedness, and they vilify you.

Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering.

And if you address as Father the one who impartially judges according to each one’s work, live out the time of your temporary residence here in reverence.

So as your fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings and as one who shares in the glory that will be revealed, I urge the elders among you: