Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, ¹  is on the prowl looking for someone ²  to devour.

For it says ¹  in scripture, “Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and priceless cornerstone, ²  and whoever believes ³  in him ⁴  will never ⁵  be put to shame.” ⁶ 

So as you come to him, ¹  a living stone rejected by men but ²  chosen and priceless ³  in God’s sight,

For ¹  who is going to harm you if you are devoted to what is good?

who went into heaven and is at the right hand of God ¹  with angels and authorities and powers subject to him. ² 

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 ¹  in reverence.

In the same way, you who are younger, ¹  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. ² 

for it is written, “You shall be holy, because I am holy.” ¹ 

For the one who wants to love life and see good days must keep ¹  his tongue from evil and his lips from uttering deceit.

And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ ¹  will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ² 

but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, namely Christ.

Whoever speaks, let it be with ¹  God’s words. ²  Whoever serves, do so with the strength ³  that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong ⁴  the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Therefore, get your minds ready for action ¹  by being fully sober, and set your hope ²  completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. ³ 

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

and a stumbling-stone ¹  and a rock to trip over. ²  They stumble ³  because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. ⁴ 

Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another ¹  as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

So then let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator as they do good. ¹ 

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues ¹  of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless ¹  others ²  because you were called to inherit a blessing.

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: