Greeting

1 Peter 1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are living as foreigners scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be multiplied to y’all.

A Living Hope in Times of Trial

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to ʜɪꜱ great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that will never fade away, reserved in heaven for y’all, who by the power of God are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this y’all greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, y’all may have been grieved by various trials, that the proof of y’all’s faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes, even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though y’all haven’t seen him, y’all love him. And though y’all don’t see him now, through believing in him, y’all rejoice greatly with inexpressible and glorious joy, receiving the result of y’all’s faith, the salvation of y’all’s souls.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently. They prophesied of the grace that would come to y’all, searching for what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was pointing to when ʜᴇ predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but y’all, in these things which now have been announced to y’all through those who preached the gospel to y’all by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven—things which angels long to look into.

Hope Leading to Holiness

Therefore, tightening a belt around y’all’s thoughts and being fully sober-minded, set your* hope fully on the grace that will be brought to y’all at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires y’all had when y’all were ignorant, but just as he who called y’all is holy, so y’all ought to be holy in all of y’all’s behavior, for it is written, “Y’all must be holy, for I am holy.”+Lev 11:44-45

If y’all address as Father the one who impartially judges each person’s work, y’all should live out your time on earth in reverent fear, knowing that it was not with corruptible things like silver or gold that y’all were redeemed from the useless way of life handed down from y’all’s ancestors, but with precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. Indeed, he was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for y’all’s sake. Through him y’all are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that y’all’s faith and hope are in God.

Since y’all have purified your* souls in obedience to the truth in sincere mutual affection, y’all should love one another fervently, from the heart, having been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For,

“All flesh is like grass, and all of its glory like the flower in the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls; but the word of the Lord [YHWH] endures forever.”+Isa 40:6-8

This is the word which was preached to y’all.