Study Desk

For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

but rather what is inside the heart—the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fearor be intimidated,

but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.

But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name.

Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly;

not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

For if God didn’t spare the angels who sinned but cast them into hell and delivered them in chains of utter darkness to be kept for judgment;

and if he didn’t spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others, when he brought the flood on the world of the ungodly;

But these people, like irrational animals—creatures of instinct born to be caught and destroyed—slander what they do not understand, and in their destruction they too will be destroyed.

but received a rebuke for his lawlessness: A speechless donkey spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them.

The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.

But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.