Study Desk

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,^(a) To God's elect,^(b) exiles^(c) scattered^(d) throughout the provinces of Pontus,^(e) Galatia,^(f) Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,^(g)

who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge^(h) of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,⁽ⁱ⁾ to be obedient^(j) to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:^(k) Grace and peace be yours in abundance.^(l)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!^(m) In his great mercy⁽ⁿ⁾ he has given us new birth^(o) into a living hope^(p) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,^(q)

and into an inheritance^(r) that can never perish, spoil or fade.^(s) This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,^(t)

who through faith are shielded by God's power^(u) until the coming of the salvation^(v) that is ready to be revealed^(w) in the last time.

In all this you greatly rejoice,^(x) though now for a little while^(y) you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.^(z)

These have come so that the proven genuineness^(aa) of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire^(ab)—may result in praise, glory and honor^(ac) when Jesus Christ is revealed.^(ad)

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him^(ae) and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.^(af)

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke^(ag) of the grace that was to come to you,^(ah) searched intently and with the greatest care,^(ai)

trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ^(aj) in them was pointing when he predicted^(ak) the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow.

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you,^(al) when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you^(am) by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.^(an) Even angels long to look into these things.

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober,^(ao) set your hope^(ap) on the grace to be brought to you^(aq) when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.^(ar)

As obedient^(as) children, do not conform^(at) to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.^(au)

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;^(av)

for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."^[a](aw)

Since you call on a Father^(ax) who judges each person's work^(ay) impartially,^(az) live out your time as foreigners^(ba) here in reverent fear.^(bb)

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed^(bc) from the empty way of life^(bd) handed down to you from your ancestors,

but with the precious blood^(be) of Christ, a lamb^(bf) without blemish or defect.^(bg)

He was chosen before the creation of the world,^(bh) but was revealed in these last times^(bi) for your sake.

Through him you believe in God,^(bj) who raised him from the dead^(bk) and glorified him,^(bl) and so your faith and hope^(bm) are in God.

Now that you have purified^(bn) yourselves by obeying^(bo) the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply,^(bp) from the heart.^[b]

For you have been born again,^(bq) not of perishable seed, but of imperishable,^(br) through the living and enduring word of God.^(bs)

For, "All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of the Lord endures forever."^[c](bt) And this is the word that was preached to you.