1 PETER, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones and pilgrims, scattered throughout Pontus, Ga-la'tia, Cap-pado'cia, Asia Minor and Bi-thyn'i-a,

2 Who have been chosen by the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, to be obedient and to sprinkle the blood of our LORD Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace, be multiplied.

3 Blessed be God, the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, who by his abundant mercy has again renewed us spiritually to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, that does not fade away, and is prepared in heaven for you,

5 While you are kept by the power of God through faith, for the life eternal which is ready to be revealed at the last time.

6 Wherein you will rejoice for ever, though at present you are sorrowful for a while, through diverse trials which have come upon you:

7 So that the proof of your faith, being much more precious than refined gold which has been purified by fire, may be made manifest for the glory and honour and praise at the appearing of Jesus Christ,

8 Whom you have not seen, but whom you yet love, and in whose faith you rejoice with exceeding joy that cannot be described;

9 And you will receive the reward for your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

10 For which very salvation the prophets searched diligently when they prophesied concerning the grace which was to be given to you.

11 They searched to find out at what time it would be revealed, and the Spirit of Christ which dwelt in them testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

12 And everything they were searching for was revealed to them because they did not seek for their own benefit, but they prophesied the things which concerned us, the things which now have been revealed to you by those who have preached the gospel to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven; which things the angels also desire to look into.

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be wide awake, and hope for the joy that is coming to you at the revelation of our LORD Jesus Christ;

14 Like obedient children, not partakers again in those sinful desires for which you once lusted in your ignorance:

15 But be you holy in all your conduct, as he who has called you is holy;

16 Because it is written, Be you holy, even as I am holy.

17 And if you call on the Father, who is impartial and who judges every man according to his works, conduct yourselves reverently during the time of your sojourning here:

18 Knowing that you have not been redeemed from your empty works which you have received from your fathers by corruptible silver and gold;

19 But with the precious blood of the Lamb without blemish and without spot which is Christ:

20 Who verily was foreordained for this very purpose, before the foundation of the world, and was manifest in these last times, for your sakes,

21 Who by him do believe in God, who raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might rest on God.

22 Let your souls be sanctified by obedience to the truth, and be filled with sincere love, so that you may love one another with pure and perfect hearts:

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever.

24 For all flesh is as grass, and all its glory is as the flower of the field. The grass withers and the flower fades away:

25 But the word of our God endures for ever. And this is the very word which has been preached to you.