<t /><p class="bodytext">From Peter,<n id="1" /> an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those temporarily residing<n id="2" /> abroad<n id="3" /> (in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia,<n id="4" /> and Bithynia) who are chosen<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,

according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by being set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling<n id="1" /> with Jesus Christ&#8217;s blood. May grace and peace be yours in full measure!<n id="2" />p>

<p class="bodytext">Therefore, get your minds ready for action<n id="1" /> by being fully sober, and set your hope<n id="2" /> completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.<n id="3" />

you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer<n id="1" /> spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

And this prefigured baptism, which now saves you<n id="1" /> &#8211; not the washing off of physical dirt<n id="2" /> but the pledge<n id="3" /> of a good conscience to God &#8211; through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

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" />

Whoever speaks, let it be with<n id="1" /> God&#8217;s words.<n id="2" /> Whoever serves, do so with the strength<n id="3" /> that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong<n id="4" /> the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.p>