 1 From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. To the sojourners+ scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. 2 You have been elected~ according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification by the Holy Spirit, unto obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace be multiplied. 3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His abundant mercy He has made us born+ again to a living+ hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this, you greatly rejoice. Although now, for a season if need be, you are in sorrow+ through many different+ trials+. 7 Because+ the proving+ of your faith is much more precious than gold that perishes. Though it be tested+ by fire, may it be found to praise and honor and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ. 8 Even though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Even though you do not see Him now, yet you believe and rejoice with unspeakable joy and expressions of glory~, 9 receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 10 Regarding+ this salvation, the prophets have inquired and searched diligently. They prophesied about the grace that would come to you, 11 searching by what means or in what season of time the Spirit of Christ in them was declaring+, when He testified beforehand about the sufferings of Christ and the glory that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them, that it was not to themselves, but to us that they ministered the things that are now reported to you by those who have proclaimed+ the Gospel to you with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven. Even the angels desire to look into these things. 13 Therefore, gird~ up the loins~ of your mind. Be sober. And hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 Be+ obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance. 15 But as He who has called you is holy, so you must be holy in all kinds+ of conversation~ and conduct. 16 Because it is written: Be holy, for I am holy. Leviticus 11:44 17 If you call on the Father who judges without partiality+ according to everyone's+ work, then pass the time of your sojourning here in fear~. 18 For+ you know that it was not with corruptible things like silver and gold that you were redeemed from your vain conversation~ and conduct that you received by tradition from your fathers. 19 But it was with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 Truly+ He was foreordained~ before the foundation of the world, but was revealed+ in these last times for you. 21 Through Him you believe in God who raised Him up from the dead and gave Him glory so that your faith and hope might be in God. 22 Your souls are purified by obedience to the truth through the Spirit and to sincere+ affection+ for the family+. Love one another fervently with a pure heart. 23 Be born again, not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, by the Word of God who lives and abides forever. 24 For all flesh is like grass, and all the glory of man is like the flower of grass: The grass withers and its flower falls away. Isaiah 40:7 25 But the Word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the Word proclaimed+ as Gospel to you. Isaiah 40:8
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