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.

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

Slaves, ¹  be subject ²  to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are perverse.

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 

And this prefigured baptism, which now saves you ¹  – not the washing off of physical dirt ²  but the pledge ³  of a good conscience to God – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

He ¹  himself bore our sins ²  in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning ³  and live for righteousness. By his ⁴  wounds ⁵  you were healed. ⁶