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

if you have experienced the Lord’s kindness.

Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins.

by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you.

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

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

For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the Lord’s face is against those who do evil.

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

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

Because Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring you to God, by being put to death in the flesh but by being made alive in the spirit.

So, since Christ suffered in the flesh, you also arm yourselves with the same attitude, because the one who has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin,

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, who is the Spirit of God, rests on you.

In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

They were shown that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things now announced to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven – things angels long to catch a glimpse of.

For it is time for judgment to begin, starting with the house of God. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate of those who are disobedient to the gospel of God?