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¹ PETER an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the foreigners dispers'd thro' Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, whom God the father has chosen in pursuance of his decree, ² to sanctify them by his spirit, that by their obedience they might be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ. may the divine savour make you continually prosper.

³ Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has regenerated us, and given us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the expectation of immortal life, ⁴ in the enjoyment of a state, that can never change or decay, a state reserv'd in heaven for us, ⁵ whom the divine power preserves through faith for that salvation, which is going to be made manifest in the latter time.

⁶ This it is that fills you with joy, notwithstanding the various tryals, which still necessarily afflict you, ⁷ that your faith being put to a more advantageous proof, than that of gold, which loses by the essay, may redound to your praise and highest honour at the appearance of Jesus Christ: ⁸ whom though you have not seen, you love: and though he is not now the object of your view, yet you believe in him, and triumph with such a laudable transport, as cannot be express'd: ⁹ since the salvation of your souls is the reward you receive for your faith.

¹⁰ 'Twas this salvation, that employ'd the most profound enquiries of those, who predicted the dispensation that was to be in your behalf: ¹¹ when the spirit of Christ inform'd the minds of the prophets of his future sufferings, and of the glorious consequences, they were solicitous to know the circumstances of the times pointed at: ¹² and were answer'd, that it was not they, but we, who were concern'd in the events which they predicted, events which have been now represented to you by those, whom the holy spirit from heaven inspired to preach the gospel to you: a secret which the angels desire to penetrate into.

¹³ Let your minds then be duely prepar'd, be vigilant, and constantly expect the favour you will meet with at the appearance of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ as obedient children be no longer influenc'd by those passions, which were the effects of your former ignorance. ¹⁵ but as he, who has called you, is holy: let your whole conduct be an imitation of his holiness. ¹⁶ for it is written, "be ye holy, because I am holy." ¹⁷ and since you invoke him as your father, who without respect of persons judges every one according to his actions; while you are passing thro' this world, be fearful of offending him: ¹⁸ considering, that it was not by such perishable things as silver or gold, that you were releas'd from those vain rites and customs impos'd upon you by your fathers, ¹⁹ but by the precious blood of Christ, who is the lamb without spot, and without blemish: ²⁰ who was destin'd before the creation of the world, tho' 'tis of late only that he has appear'd, upon your account: ²¹ it is by him that you believe in God, who has raised him from the dead, and invested him with glory, that your faith and your hope might be in God. ²² You that have purified your souls by the holy spirit, in obeying the gospel, which obliges you to an undisguised benevolence, let your hearts be mutually affected with the most disinterested ardour; ²³ since your regeneration is not owing to any corruptible principles, but to the unchangeable word of the immortal God.

²⁴ for human nature is like grass, and all their glory like the flower of the herb, the herb withers, the flower droops, ²⁵ but the word of the Lord remains for ever: and that is the gospel, which has been preached to you.