because you are attaining the goal of your faith – the salvation of your souls.

Then when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that never fades away.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who predicted the grace that would come to you searched and investigated carefully.

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.

Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul,

Live as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God’s slaves.

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

Therefore, get your minds ready for action by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

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.

In the same way, wives, be subject to your own husbands. Then, even if some are disobedient to the word, they will be won over without a word by the way you live,

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

But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad.

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.

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:

Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold – gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away – and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.