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?

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

For who is going to harm you if you are devoted to what is good?

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

Give a shepherd’s care to God’s flock among you, exercising oversight not merely as a duty but willingly under God’s direction, not for shameful profit but eagerly.

And do not lord it over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock.

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

And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand

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.

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

So then let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator as they do good.

For the one who wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from uttering deceit.

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:

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,

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 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.

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.