for it is written, “You shall be holy, because I am holy.”

For God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.

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

Let your beauty not be external – the braiding of hair and wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes –

who went into heaven and is at the right hand of God with angels and authorities and powers subject to him.

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

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

but the inner person of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.

after they were disobedient long ago when God patiently waited in the days of Noah as an ark was being constructed. In the ark a few, that is eight souls, were delivered through water.

Through Silvanus, whom I know to be a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, in order to encourage you and testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.