1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ: may grace and peace be multiplied to you.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who are guarded by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that perishes though tested by fire, may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace for you searched and inquired diligently, 11 inquiring what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he foretold the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving these things not for themselves but for you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

13 Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and set your hope fully on the grace being brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not conform yourselves to the desires you formerly had in your ignorance, 15 but as the one who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

17 And if you call on as Father the one who judges impartially according to each person's work, conduct yourselves in fear throughout the time of your sojourning, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile way of life handed down from your ancestors, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in the last times for your sake, 21 you who through him believe in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

22 Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth for sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from the heart, 23 having been born again, not from perishable seed but imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.

24 For

And this is the word that was preached to you as good news.