1 Peter 1:1-25

1  Peter,* an apostle+ of Jesus Christ, to the temporary residents+ scattered about*+ in Ponʹtus, Ga·laʹti·a, Cap·pa·doʹci·a,+ Asia, and Bi·thynʹi·a, to the ones chosen+  according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,+ with sanctification by the spirit,+ for the purpose of their being obedient and sprinkled+ with the blood of Jesus Christ:+ May undeserved kindness and peace be increased to YOU.+  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,+ for according to his great mercy he gave us a new birth*+ to a living hope+ through the resurrection+ of Jesus Christ from the dead,  to an incorruptible and undefiled and unfading inheritance.+ It is reserved* in the heavens for YOU,+  who are being safeguarded* by God’s power through faith+ for a salvation+ ready to be revealed+ in the last period of time.+  In this fact YOU are greatly rejoicing, though for a little while at present, if it must be, YOU have been grieved by various trials,+  in order that the tested quality* of YOUR faith,+ of much greater value than gold that perishes despite its being proved by fire,+ may be found a cause for praise and glory and honor at the revelation*+ of Jesus Christ.  Though YOU never saw him, YOU love him.+ Though YOU are not looking upon him at present, yet YOU exercise faith in him and are greatly rejoicing with an unspeakable and glorified joy,  as YOU receive* the end* of YOUR faith, the salvation of YOUR souls.+ 10  Concerning this very salvation a diligent inquiry and a careful search+ were made by the prophets who prophesied+ about the undeserved kindness meant for YOU.+ 11  They kept on investigating* what particular season+ or what sort of [season] the spirit+ in them was indicating concerning Christ*+ when it was bearing witness beforehand about the sufferings for Christ+ and about the glories+ to follow these. 12  It was revealed to them that, not to themselves,+ but to YOU, they were ministering the things that have now been announced+ to YOU through those who have declared the good news to YOU with holy spirit+ sent forth from heaven. Into these very things angels are desiring to peer.*+ 13  Hence brace up YOUR minds for activity,*+ keep YOUR senses completely;+ set YOUR hope* upon the undeserved kindness+ that is to be brought to YOU at the revelation+ of Jesus Christ. 14  As obedient children,* quit being fashioned+ according to the desires YOU formerly had in YOUR ignorance, 15  but, in accord with the Holy One who called YOU, do YOU also become holy yourselves in all [YOUR] conduct,+ 16  because it is written: “YOU must be holy, because I am holy.”+ 17  Furthermore, if YOU are calling upon the Father who judges impartially*+ according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves with fear+ during the time of YOUR alien residence.+ 18  For YOU know that it was not with corruptible things,+ with silver or gold, that YOU were delivered*+ from YOUR fruitless form of conduct received by tradition from YOUR forefathers. 19  But it was with precious blood,+ like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb,+ even Christ’s.+ 20  True, he was foreknown before the founding*+ of the world, but he was made manifest at the end of the times for the sake of YOU+ 21  who through him are believers in God,+ the one who raised him up from the dead+ and gave him glory;+ so that YOUR faith and hope might be in God.+ 22  Now that YOU have purified+ YOUR souls* by [YOUR] obedience to the truth with unhypocritical brotherly affection+ as the result, love one another intensely* from the heart.+ 23  For YOU have been given a new birth,+ not by corruptible,+ but by incorruptible+ [reproductive] seed,*+ through the word+ of [the] living and enduring+ God. 24  For “all flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like a blossom of grass;+ the grass becomes withered, and the flower falls off,+ 25  but the saying of Jehovah* endures forever.”+ Well, this is the “saying,”+ this which has been declared+ to YOU as good news.

Footnotes

Lit., “alien residents of dispersion.” See Jas 1:1.
“Peter.” Gr., Peʹtros, meaning “A Piece of Rock.”
Lit., “having generated again us.” Gr., a·na·gen·neʹsas he·masʹ; Lat., re·ge·ne·raʹvit nos.
Lit., “Having been kept.”
Lit., “being kept under watch.”
Lit., “uncovering; disclosure.” Gr., a·po·ka·lyʹpsei; Lat., re·ve·la·ti·oʹne.
Or, “the testing.” Lit., “the proof.”
Or, “carry away as a prize.”
Or, “completed end; accomplished end.” Gr., teʹlos.
Or, “the spirit of Christ which was in them indicated.”
Lit., “searching.”
Lit., “to stoop beside.”
Lit., “gird up the loins of your mind (mental perception).”
Or, “keep balanced and set your hope completely.”
Or, “persons.”
Lit., “without reception of faces.”
Lit., “you were freed by ransom.”
Lit., “throwing down [of seed].” Gr., ka·ta·bo·lesʹ.
Or, “lives.” See App 4A.
Lit., “outstretchedly.”
“Seed.” Gr., spo·rasʹ; Lat., seʹmi·ne.
“Of Jehovah,” J7,​8,​13,​14,​16-18,​20,​22,​23; אAB(Gr.), Ky·riʹou; Syp, “of our God.” See App 1D.