You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.

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.

For this finds God’s favor, ¹  if because of conscience toward God ²  someone endures hardships in suffering unjustly.

For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, ¹  than for doing evil.

in that he spends the rest of his time ¹  on earth concerned about the will of God and not human desires.

Give a shepherd’s care to ¹  God’s flock among you, exercising oversight ²  not merely as a duty ³  but willingly under God’s direction, ⁴  not for shameful profit but eagerly.

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

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

who by God’s power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

For God wants you ¹  to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.

Live ¹  as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God’s slaves. ² 

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

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

according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by being set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling ¹  with Jesus Christ’s blood. May grace and peace be yours in full measure! ² 

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

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, ¹  who is the Spirit of God, ²  rests ³  on you.

after they were disobedient long ago ¹  when God patiently waited ²  in the days of Noah as an ark was being constructed. In the ark ³  a few, that is eight souls, were delivered through water.

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 

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.