<p class="otpoetry"><b><i>but the word of the Lordi>b><n id="1" /> <i><b>endures foreverb>.i><n id="2" />p> <p class="bodyblock">And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.p>

because you are attaining the goal of your faith &#8211; the salvation of your souls.p>

To him belongs<n id="1" /> the power forever. Amen.p>

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory,<n id="1" /> who is <b><i>the Spirit of Godi>b>,<n id="2" /> <b><i>restsi>b><n id="3" /> on you.

<t /><p class="bodytext">Finally, all of you be harmonious,<n id="1" /> sympathetic, affectionate, compassionate, and humble.

For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it,<n id="1" /> than for doing evil.p>

in that he spends the rest of his time<n id="1" /> on earth concerned about the will of God and not human desires.

<t /><p class="bodytext">For the culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer.<n id="1" />

Give a shepherd&#8217;s care to<n id="1" /> God&#8217;s flock among you, exercising oversight<n id="2" /> not merely as a duty<n id="3" /> but willingly under God&#8217;s direction,<n id="4" /> not for shameful profit but eagerly.

For it is time for judgment to begin, starting with the house<n id="1" /> of God. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate<n id="2" /> of those who are disobedient to the gospel of God?

And<n id="1" /> yearn<n id="2" /> like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk,<n id="3" /> so that by it you may grow up to<n id="4" /> salvation,<n id="5" />

For God wants you<n id="1" /> 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.<n id="1" />p>

They probed<n id="1" /> into what person or time<n id="2" /> the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified beforehand about the sufferings appointed for Christ<n id="3" /> and his subsequent glory.<n id="4" />

And if you address as Father the one who impartially judges according to each one&#8217;s work, live out the time of your temporary residence here<n id="1" /> in reverence.

Forp> <p class="otpoetry"><b><i>all fleshi>b><n id="1" /> <b><i>is like grassi>b>p> <p class="otpoetry"><b><i>and all its glory like the flower of the grass;i>b><n id="2" />p> <p class="otpoetry"><b><i>the grass withers and the flower falls off,i>b>p>

For the time that has passed was sufficient for you to do what the non-Christians<n id="1" /> desire.<n id="2" /> You lived then<n id="3" /> in debauchery, evil desires, drunkenness, carousing, drinking bouts,<n id="4" /> and wanton idolatries.<n id="5" />

<t /><p class="bodytext">Blessed be<n id="1" /> 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,<n id="1" /> which is much more valuable than gold &#8211; gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away<n id="2" /> &#8211; and will bring praise<n id="3" /> and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.<n id="4" />

But you are <i>a chosen racei>, <i>a royal priesthoodi>, <i>a holy nationi>, <i>a people of his owni>, so that you may <i>proclaim the virtuesi><n id="1" /> of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.