Study Desk

For you have been born again, not by a seed that perishes but by one that cannot perish - by the living and everlasting word of God.by the word of the living and everlasting God">[fn]John 1:13; 3:5; James 1:18; 1 John 3:9;">[xr]

you, too, as living stones, are building yourselves up into a spiritual house and a holy priesthood, so that you may offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.Isaiah 61:6; 66:21; Hosea 14:2; Malachi 1:11; Romans 12:1; Ephesians 2:21-22; Philippians 4:18; Hebrews 3:6; 13:15-16; 1 Peter 4:11; 2:9;">[xr]

Once you were not a people,Hosea 1:9-10; 2:23; Romans 9:25;">[xr] but now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Continue to live such upright lives among the Gentiles that, when they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good works and glorify God when he visits them in judgment.on the day of visitation">[fn]Matthew 5:16; Luke 19:44; Romans 12:17; 2 Corinthians 8:21; Philippians 2:15; Titus 2:8; 1 Peter 3:16;">[xr]

Show honor to everyone. Keep on loving the brothers, fearing God, and honoring the king.Proverbs 24:21; Matthew 22:21; Romans 12:10; 13:7; Philippians 2:3; Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 1:22;">[xr]

For it is a fine thing if, when moved by your conscience to please God, you suffer patiently when wronged.Matthew 5:10; Romans 13:5; 1 Peter 3:14;">[xr]

After all, this is how holy women who set their hope on God used to make themselves beautiful in the past. They submitted themselves to their husbands,

After all, if it is the will of God, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.

For Christ also suffereddied">[fn] for sins once for all, an innocent person for the guilty, so that he could bring youus">[fn] to God. He was put to death in the sphere of the flesh but was made alive in the sphere of the spirit,Spirit">[fn]Romans 1:4; 5:6; 8:11; 2 Corinthians 13:4; Colossians 1:21-22; Hebrews 9:26,28; 1 Peter 2:21; 4:1;">[xr]

who disobeyed long ago in the days of Noah, when God waited patiently while the ark was being built. In it a few, that is, eight persons, were saved by water.Genesis 6:3,5, 13; 7:7; 8:18; Hebrews 11:7; 2 Peter 2:5;">[xr]

Baptism, which is symbolized by that water, now saves you also, not by removing dirt from the body, but by asking God for a clear conscience based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ,Romans 10:10; Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3;">[xr]

who has gone to heaven and is at the right hand of God, where angels, authorities, and powers have been made subject to him.Psalm 110:1; Romans 8:34,38; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 1:20-21; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3;">[xr]

Indeed, this is why the gospel was proclaimed even to those who have died, so that they could be judged in the realm of the flesh like all humans and live in the realm of the spiritSpirit">[fn] like God.1 Peter 3:19;">[xr]

Whoever speaks must speak God's words.If anyone speaks as the words of God">[fn] Whoever serves must serve with the strengthWhoever serves as with the strength">[fn] that God supplies, so that in every way God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. Glory and power belong to him forever and ever! Amen.Jeremiah 23:22; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 3:10; Ephesians 5:20; 1 Timothy 6:16; 1 Peter 2:5; 5:11; Revelation 1:6;">[xr]

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God is resting on you.on you. For their sake he is being blasphemed, but for your sake he is being glorified.">[fn]Matthew 5:11; 2 Corinthians 12:10; James 1:12; 1 Peter 2:12,19-20;">[xr]

But if you suffer for being a Christian, do not feel ashamed, but glorify God with that name.Acts 5:41;">[xr]

For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. And if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who refuse to obey the gospel of God?Isaiah 10:12; Jeremiah 25:29; 49:12; Ezekiel 9:6; Malachi 3:5; Luke 10:12,14; 23:31;">[xr]

Be shepherds of God's flock that is among you, watching over it, not because you must but because you want to, and not greedily but eagerly, as God desires.John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 9:17; 1 Timothy 3:3,8; Titus 1:7;">[xr]

In a similar way, you young people must be submissive to the elders.to those who are older">[fn] All of you must put on the apron of humility before one another, becauseIsaiah 57:15; 66:2; Romans 12:10; Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 2:3; James 4:6;">[xr] "God opposes the arrogant, but gives grace to the humble."Proverbs 3:34 (LXX)">[fn]

Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time he may exalt you.James 4:10;">[xr]