But let none of you suffer as a murderer or thief or criminal or as a troublemaker.

For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, than for doing evil.

The church in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you, and so does Mark, my son.

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

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

They probed into what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified beforehand about the sufferings appointed for Christ and his subsequent glory.

So you who believe see his value, but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,

Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.

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.

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.