Greeting
1 From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen exiles scattered in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia 2 who, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, are being made spiritually holy through obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Abundant favor and peace to you all!
Our living hope
3 Blessings to the God and Father of our Master Jesus Christ, who regenerated us according to his vast mercy into a living hope. This comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 into an inheritance that is incorruptible, untainted, and unfading, having been kept in the heavens for you all. 5 You are those being garrisoned in the power of God through faith into a salvation ready to be revealed in the last age.
6 Briefly at the present time you are being exulted, and sorrowed by various trials if necessary, 7 so that your faith will be tested and proved much more valuable than gold, though the refining fire melts it down. Your faith was made evident through being tested, for praise and honor and worth in the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you did not know the One you cannot see now, you believe anyway and celebrate with unspeakable joy. 9 And having been honored, you are responding with the completion of your faith, the salvation of souls.
10 The prophets searched intently concerning the salvation they were proclaiming, this favor toward you. 11 They were trying to discover the general time the Spirit of Christ in them was predicting for his sufferings and later honors. 12 It was revealed to them that in all this they were attending not to themselves but to you, by means of the ones who brought you the good news; they were commissioned by the Holy Spirit from heaven. The angels strain to look into this.
Be holy
13 So then, be strong and prepared in your understanding. Be clear-thinking and mature as you rely on the favor delivered to you in the revealing of Jesus Christ. 14 With a compliant attitude, do not conform to your old ways in your ignorant desires, 15 but become holy yourselves, just as the one calling you is holy. 16 For it is written, “You will be holy, because I am holy.” 17 And if you call on the Father, the one who impartially judges each one’s work, then may you behave respectfully for the time of your journey. 18 You have seen that you were ransomed from the pointless behavior handed down by tradition. Yet you weren’t ransomed by means of decaying things like silver or gold, 19 but by the priceless blood of Christ, the flawless and unblemished Lamb.
20 Indeed, this was known ahead of time, before the foundation of the world, yet in the last of the times is being revealed on account of you. 21 Through him you were brought to faith in God, who awakened him from the dead and gave him honor, so that your faith and hope are put in God. 22 Since he purified your souls with compliance to the truth, earnestly and honestly love each other from a clean heart.
23 You have not been regenerated from mortal seed but from immortal, through the living and enduring Word of God. 24 Since all flesh is like grass, all its honor is like wilted flowers. 25 But the declaration of the Master, the good news brought to you, remains forever.