Greeting

¹ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen¹ who are residing temporarily in the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

1. Or “elect”

² according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

A New Birth to a Living Hope

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴ into an inheritance imperishable and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you

⁵ who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time,

⁶ in which you rejoice greatly, although¹ now for a short time, if necessary,² you are distressed by various trials,

1. *Here “although” is supplied as a component of the participle (“are distressed”) which is understood as concessive
2. Some manuscripts have “if it is necessary”

⁷ so that the genuineness of your faith, more valuable than gold that is passing away, but is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

⁸ whom, although you¹ have not seen, you love; in whom now you believe, although you² do not see him, and you rejoice greatly with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

1. *Here “although” is supplied as a component of the participle (“seen”) which is understood as concessive
2. *Here “although” is supplied as a component of the participle (“see”) which is understood as concessive

⁹ obtaining the goal of your faith, the salvation of your¹ souls.

1. *This is an understood repetition of the previous “your”

¹⁰ Concerning this¹ salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace meant for you sought and made careful inquiry,

1. Literally “which”

¹¹ investigating for what person or which time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he¹ testified beforehand to the sufferings with reference to Christ and the glories after these things,

1. *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“testified beforehand”) which is understood as temporal

¹² to whom it was revealed that they were serving not themselves but you with reference to the same things which now have been announced to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, ⌞things into which⌟¹ angels desire to look.

1. Literally “into which things”

Be Holy in All Your Conduct

¹³ Therefore, ⌞when you have prepared your minds for action⌟¹ by² being self-controlled, put your hope completely in the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1. Literally “having girded up the loins of your mind”
2. *Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“being self-controlled”) which is understood as means

¹⁴ As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former desires you used to conform to¹ in your ignorance,

1. *This is an understood repetition of the earlier verb “be conformed to”

¹⁵ but as the one who called you is holy, you yourselves be holy in all your conduct,

¹⁶ for it is written, “You will be holy, because I am¹ holy.”²³

1. *Here the verb is understood in Greek and is supplied in the translation
2. A quotation from Lev 19:2
3. Some manuscripts explicitly state “I am holy”

¹⁷ And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves with fear during the time of your temporary residence,

¹⁸ because you¹ know that you were redeemed from your futile way of life inherited from your ancestors not with perishable things like silver or gold,

1. *Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“know”) which is understood as causal

¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb

²⁰ who was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has been revealed in these last times for you

²¹ who through him are believing 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 your obedience to the truth for sincere brotherly love, love one another fervently from the heart,¹

1. Some manuscripts have “from a pure heart”

²³ because you¹ have been born again, not from perishable seed but imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

1. *Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“have been born again”) which is understood as causal

²⁴ For “all flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of the grass. The grass withers and the flower falls off,

²⁵ but the word of the Lord endures ⌞forever⌟¹.”² And this is the word that has been proclaimed to you.

1. Literally “for the age”
2. A quotation from Isa 40:6, 8

Chosen as Living Stones

¹ Therefore, ridding yourselves of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,

² like newborn infants long for the unadulterated spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation,

³ if you have tasted that the Lord is kind,¹

1. A quotation from Ps 34:8

⁴ to whom you are drawing near, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and precious in the sight of God.

⁵ And you yourselves, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

⁶ For it stands in scripture, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”¹

1. A quotation from Isa 28:16

⁷ Therefore the honor is for you who believe, but for those who refuse to believe, “The stone that the builders rejected, this one has become ⌞the cornerstone⌟¹,”

1. Literally “into the head of the corner”

⁸ and “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense,”¹ who stumble because they² disobey the word to which also they were consigned.

1. A quotation from Isa 8:14
2. *Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“disobey”) which is understood as causal

⁹ But you are a chosen race,¹ a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s possession, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light,

1. Or “people,” or “generation,” or “nation”

¹⁰ who once were not a people, but now are the people of God, the ones who were not shown mercy, but now are shown mercy.¹

1. This verse contains quotations from Hos 1:6, 9; 2:23

¹¹ Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires which wage war against your¹ soul,

1. *Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun

¹² maintaining your good conduct among the Gentiles, so that in the things in which they slander you as evildoers, by seeing your good deeds they may glorify God on the day of visitation.

Submission to Established Authority

¹³ Subject yourselves to every human authority for the sake of the Lord, whether to a king¹ as having supreme authority,

1. Or “to the emperor”

¹⁴ or to governors as those sent out by him for the punishment of those who do evil and the praise of those who do good.

¹⁵ For the will of God is as follows: by¹ doing good to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

1. *Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“doing good”) which is understood as means

¹⁶ Live as free persons, and not using your¹ freedom as a covering for evil, but as slaves of God.

1. *Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun

¹⁷ Honor all people, love the community of believers, fear God, honor the king.¹

1. Or “the emperor”

¹⁸ Domestic slaves, be subject to your¹ masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unjust.

1. *Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun

¹⁹ For this finds favor, if because of consciousness of God someone endures sorrows while¹ suffering unjustly.

1. *Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“suffering”) which is understood as temporal

²⁰ For what credit is it if, when you¹ sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if you endure when you² do good and suffer for it, this finds favor with God.

1. *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“sin”) which is understood as temporal
2. *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“do good”) which is understood as temporal

²¹ For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his footsteps,

²² who did not commit sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth,¹

1. This verse contains quotations from Isa 53:9

²³ who when he¹ was reviled, did not revile in return; when² suffering, he did not threaten, but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly,

1. *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was reviled”) which is understood as temporal
2. *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“suffering”) which is understood as temporal

²⁴ who himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we may die to sins and live to righteousness, by whose wounds you were healed.

²⁵ For you were going astray like sheep, but you have turned back now to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

Wives and Husbands

¹ In the same way, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some are disobedient to the word, they may be won over without a word by the conduct of their wives,

² when they¹ see your respectful, pure conduct.

1. *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“see”) which is understood as temporal

³ Let your¹ adornment not be the external kind, braiding hair and putting on gold jewelry or putting on fine clothing,

1. Literally “of whom,” referring to the wives

⁴ but the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is highly valuable in the sight of God.

⁵ For in the same way formerly the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves by¹ being subject to their own husbands,

1. *Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“being subject”) which is understood as means

⁶ like Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you have become when you¹ do good and are not frightened with respect to any terror.

1. *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“do good”) which is understood as temporal

⁷ Husbands, in the same way live with your wives ⌞knowledgeably⌟¹, as with the weaker female vessel, showing them honor as fellow heirs also of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

1. Literally “according to knowledge”

Called to Inherit a Blessing

⁸ And finally, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, showing mutual affection, compassionate, humble,

⁹ not repaying evil for evil or insult for insult, but on the other hand blessing others, because for this reason you were called, so that you could inherit a blessing.

¹⁰ For “The one who wants to love life and see good days must keep his¹ tongue from evil and his lips must not speak deceit.

1. *Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun

¹¹ And he must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

¹² For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.¹

1. Verses 10–12 are a quotation from Ps 34:12–16

Suffer for Doing What is Good

¹³ And who is the one who will harm you if you are a zealous adherent for what is good?

¹⁴ But even if you might suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their intimidation or be disturbed,¹

1. The second half of this verse contains a quotation from Isa 8:12

¹⁵ but set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defense to anyone who asks you for an accounting concerning the hope that is in you.

¹⁶ But do so with courtesy and respect, having a good conscience, so that in the things in which you are slandered, the ones who malign your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.

¹⁷ For it is better to suffer for doing good, ⌞if God wills it⌟¹, than for doing evil.

1. Literally “if the will of God wills”

¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, in order that he could bring you to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit,

¹⁹ in which also he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,

²⁰ who were formerly disobedient, when the patience of God waited in the days of Noah, while¹ an ark was being constructed, in which a few—that is, eight souls—were rescued through water.

1. *Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was being constructed”)

²¹ And¹ also, corresponding to this, baptism now saves you, not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

1. Literally “which”

²² who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, with angels and authorities and powers having been subjected to him.

The Time for Behaving Like the Gentiles is Past

¹ Therefore, because¹ Christ suffered in the flesh, you also equip yourselves with the same way of thinking, because the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

1. *Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“suffered”) which is understood as causal

² in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for the will of God.

³ For the time that has passed was sufficient ⌞to do what the Gentiles desire to do⌟¹, having lived in licentiousness, evil desires, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries,

1. Literally “to do the intention of the Gentiles”

⁴ with respect to which they are surprised when¹ you do not run with them into the same flood of dissipation, and so they² revile you.

1. *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“run with”) which is understood as temporal
2. *Here “and so” is supplied as a component of the participle (“revile”) which is understood as result

⁵ They¹ will give an account to the one who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

1. Literally “who”

⁶ Because for this reason also the gospel was preached to those who are dead, so that they were judged ⌞by human standards⌟¹ in the flesh, but they may live in the spirit ⌞by God’s standards⌟².

1. Literally “according to men”
2. Literally “according to God”

Serving to the Glory of God

⁷ Now the end of all things draws near. Therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for your prayers.

⁸ Above all, keep¹ your love for one another constant, because love covers a large number of sins.

1. Literally “having”

⁹ Be hospitable to one another without complaining.

¹⁰ Just as each one has received a gift, use it for serving one another, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

¹¹ If anyone speaks, let it be as the oracles of God; if anyone serves, let it be as by the strength that God provides, so that in all things God will be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory and the power ⌞forever and ever⌟¹. Amen.

1. Literally “for the ages of the ages”

Sharing the Sufferings of Christ

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, when it¹ takes place to test you, as if something strange were happening to you.

1. *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“takes place”) which is understood as temporal

¹³ But to the degree that you share in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, so that also at the revelation of his glory you may rejoice and be glad.

¹⁴ If you are reviled on account of the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

¹⁵ By all means do not let anyone of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.

¹⁶ But if someone suffers as a Christian, he must not be ashamed, but must glorify God with this name.

¹⁷ For it is the time for the judgment to begin out from the household of God. But if it begins out from us first, what will be the outcome for those who are disobedient to the gospel of God?

¹⁸ And if the righteous are saved with difficulty, ⌞what will become of the ungodly and the sinner⌟¹?²

1. Literally “the ungodly and sinner where will he appear”
2. This verse contains a quotation from Prov 11:31

¹⁹ So then also those who suffer according to the will of God must entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing good.

Leadership and Humility

¹ Therefore I, your fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and¹ also a sharer of the glory that is going to be revealed, exhort the elders among you:

1. *The conjunction “and” is supplied here to make it clear that the following phrase refers also to the author of the letter and not to Christ

² shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not by compulsion but willingly, in accordance with God, and not greedily but eagerly,

³ and not as lording it over ⌞those under your care⌟¹, but being examples for the flock.

1. Literally “the portion”

⁴ And when¹ the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

1. *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“appears”)

⁵ In the same way, younger men, be subject to the elders, and all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

⁶ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the right time,

⁷ casting all your cares on him, because ⌞he cares⌟¹ for you.

1. Literally “it is a care to him”

⁸ Be sober; be on the alert. Your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

⁹ ⌞Resist him⌟¹, steadfast in your² faith, because you³ know the same kinds of sufferings are being accomplished by your community of believers in the world.

1. Literally “to whom resist”
2. Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
3. *Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“know”) which is understood as causal

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ,¹ after you² have suffered for a short time, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

1. Some manuscripts have “in Christ Jesus”
2. *Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“have suffered”) which is understood as temporal

¹¹ To him be the power ⌞forever and ever⌟¹.² Amen.

1. Literally “to the ages of the ages”
2. Some manuscripts have “forever” (literally “to the ages”)

Conclusion and Final Greetings

¹² Through Silvanus, the faithful brother (as I consider him), I have written to you ⌞briefly⌟¹ to encourage you and to attest that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.

1. Literally “by a few”

¹³ She who is in Babylon, chosen the same as you, greets you, and so does my son Mark.

¹⁴ Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.