You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.

You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors you were ransomed – not by perishable things like silver or gold,

You have purified your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love. So love one another earnestly from a pure heart.

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.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

and maintain good conduct among the non-Christians, so that though they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears.

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.