Study Desk

But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [God’s] own possession, that ye may shew forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

which in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

as free, and not using your freedom for a cloke of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.

Servants, [be] in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted [for it], ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:

For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

but [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible [apparel] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And his ears unto their supplication: But the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil.

But and if ye should suffer for righteousness’ sake, blessed [are ye]: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled;

but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: [being] ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:

Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but quickened in the spirit;

which also after a true likeness doth now save you, [even] baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;

that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

For unto this end was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer:

but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy.

but if [a man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.

Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according unto God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;