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Greeting

¹ Peter,^(C1) an apostle of Jesus Christ:

To those chosen, living as exiles^(C2) dispersed^(C3) abroad^(F1) in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,^(C4) chosen^{(C5) 2} according to the foreknowledge^(C1) of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,^(C2) to be obedient^(C3) and to be sprinkled with the blood^(C4) of Jesus Christ.

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

A Living Hope

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.^(C1) Because of his great mercy^(C2) he has given us new birth^(C3) into a living hope^(C4) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead^{(C5) 4} and into an inheritance that is imperishable,^(C1) undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven^(C2) for you. ⁵ You are being guarded by God’s power^(C1) through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.^{(C2) 6} You rejoice in this,^(F1) even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials^{(C1) 7} so that the proven character of your faith^(C1)—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire^(C2)—may result^(C3) in praise, glory, and honor^(C4) at the revelation of Jesus Christ.^{(C5) 8} Though you have not seen^(C1) him, you love him;^(C2) though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice^(C3) with inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets,^(C1) who prophesied about the grace that would come to you, searched and carefully investigated. ¹¹ They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ^(C1) within them was indicating when he testified in advance^(C2) to the sufferings of Christ^(C3) and the glories^(C4) that would follow.^{(F1) 12} It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you^(C1) by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven^(C2)—angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.

A Call to Holy Living

¹³ Therefore, with your minds ready for action,^(C1) be sober-minded^(C2) and set your hope^(C3) completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation^(C4) of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As obedient children,^(C1) do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. ¹⁵ But as the one who called you^(C1) is holy,^(C2) you also are to be holy in all your conduct; ¹⁶ for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.^{(F1)(C1) 17} If you appeal to the Father who judges impartially^(C1) according to each one’s work,^(C2) you are to conduct yourselves in reverence^(C3) during your time living as strangers. ¹⁸ For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life^(C1) inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold,^{(C2) 19} but with the precious blood of Christ,^(C1) like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.^{(C2) 20} He was foreknown^(C1) before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times^(C2) for you. ²¹ Through him you believe in God,^(C1) who raised him from the dead^(C2) and gave him glory,^(C3) so that your faith and hope are in God.

²² Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth,^(F1) so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other,^(C1) from a pure^(F2) heart love one another constantly,^{(F3)(C2) 23} because you have been born again^(C1)—not of perishable seed^(C2) but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God.^{(C3) 24} For