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

Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you.

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.

And this prefigured baptism, which now saves you – not the washing off of physical dirt but the pledge of a good conscience to God – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

For the time that has passed was sufficient for you to do what the non-Christians desire. You lived then in debauchery, evil desires, drunkenness, carousing, drinking bouts, and wanton idolatries.

And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Like obedient children, do not comply with the evil urges you used to follow in your ignorance,

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last times for your sake.

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.

in that he spends the rest of his time on earth concerned about the will of God and not human desires.

They will face a reckoning before Jesus Christ who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.

For the culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer.

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

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

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

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

Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

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.