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 yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer ¹  spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

You ¹  once were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You were shown no mercy, ²  but now you have received mercy.

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

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.

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

But let none of you suffer as a murderer or thief or criminal or as a troublemaker. ¹ 

And God will exalt you in due time, ¹  if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand ² 

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

but the inner person ¹  of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.

like Sarah who obeyed ¹  Abraham, calling him lord. You become her children ²  when you do what is good and have no fear in doing so. ³ 

Yet do it with courtesy and respect, ¹  keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you. ² 

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

Dear friends, do not be astonished ¹  that a trial by fire is occurring among you, ²  as though something strange were happening to you.

But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed ¹  you may also rejoice and be glad. ² 

Resist him, ¹  strong in your faith, because you know ²  that your brothers and sisters ³  throughout the world ⁴  are enduring ⁵  the same kinds of suffering. ⁶ 

Blessed be 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,

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.

Through Silvanus, ¹  whom I know to be a faithful brother, ²  I have written to you briefly, in order to encourage you and testify ³  that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. ⁴ 

Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as the weaker partners ¹  and show them honor as fellow heirs of the grace of life. In this way nothing will hinder your prayers. ²