1 Peter 2–5

2Therefore, rid yourselves^u of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander^v of every kind. ²Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,^w so that by it you may grow up^x in your salvation, ³now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.^y

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

⁴As you come to him, the living Stone^z—rejected by humans but chosen by God^a and precious to him—⁵you also, like living stones, are being built^b into a spiritual house^ac to be a holy priesthood,^d offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.^{e 6}For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,

a chosen and precious cornerstone,^f

and the one who trusts in him

will never be put to shame.”^bg

⁷Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,^h

“The stone the builders rejectedⁱ

has become the cornerstone,”^cj

⁸and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble

and a rock that makes them fall.”^dk

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.^l

⁹But you are a chosen people,^m a royal priesthood,ⁿ a holy nation,^o God’s special possession,^p that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.^{q 10}Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God;^r once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

¹¹Dear friends,^s I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,^t to abstain from sinful desires,^u which wage war against your soul.^{v 12}Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds^w and glorify God^x on the day he visits us.

¹³Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:^y whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong^z and to commend those who do right.^{a 15}For it is God’s will^b that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.^{c 16}Live as free people,^d but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;^e live as God’s slaves.^{f 17}Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers,^g fear God, honor the emperor.^h

¹⁸Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters,ⁱ not only to those who are good and considerate,^j but also to those who are harsh. ¹⁹For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.^{k 20}But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.^{l 21}To this^m you were called,ⁿ because Christ suffered for you,^o leaving you an example,^p that you should follow in his steps.

²²“He committed no sin,^q

and no deceit was found in his mouth.”^er

²³When they hurled their insults at him,^s he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.^t Instead, he entrusted himself^u to him who judges justly.^{v 24}“He himself bore our sins”^w in his body on the cross,^x so that we might die to sins^y and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”^{z 25}For “you were like sheep going astray,”^fa but now you have returned to the Shepherd^b and Overseer of your souls.^c

3Wives, in the same way submit yourselves^d to your own husbands^e so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over^f without words by the behavior of their wives, ²when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. ³Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.^{g 4}Rather, it should be that of your inner self,^h the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.^{i 5}For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God^j used to adorn themselves.^k They submitted themselves to their own husbands, ⁶like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord.^l You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

⁷Husbands,^m in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Suffering for Doing Good

⁸Finally, all of you, be like-minded,ⁿ be sympathetic, love one another,^o be compassionate and humble.^{p 9}Do not repay evil with evil^q or insult with insult.^r On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,^s because to this^t you were called^u so that you may inherit a blessing.^{v 10}For,

“Whoever would love life

and see good days

must keep their tongue from evil

and their lips from deceitful speech.

¹¹They must turn from evil and do good;

they must seek peace and pursue it.

¹²For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous

and his ears are attentive to their prayer,

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”^aw

¹³Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?^{x 14}But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.^y “Do not fear their threats^b; do not be frightened.”^{cz 15}But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer^a to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope^b that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶keeping a clear conscience,^c so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.^{d 17}For it is better, if it is God’s will,^e to suffer for doing good^f than for doing evil. ¹⁸For Christ also suffered once^g for sins,^h the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.ⁱ He was put to death in the body^j but made alive in the Spirit.^{k 19}After being made alive,^d he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits^l—²⁰to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently^m in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.ⁿ In it only a few people, eight in all,^o were saved^p through water, ²¹and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you^q also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience^r toward God.^e It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,^{s 22}who has gone into heaven^t and is at God’s right hand^u—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.^v

Living for God

4Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body,^w arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.^{x 2}As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires,^y but rather for the will of God. ³For you have spent enough time in the past^z doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.^{a 4}They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.^{b 5}But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.^{c 6}For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead,^d so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

⁷The end of all things is near.^e Therefore be alert and of sober mind^f so that you may pray. ⁸Above all, love each other deeply,^g because love covers over a multitude of sins.^{h 9}Offer hospitalityⁱ to one another without grumbling.^{j 10}Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,^k as faithful^l stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.^m If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides,ⁿ so that in all things God may be praised^o through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.^p

Suffering for Being a Christian

¹²Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you^q to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³But rejoice^r inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,^s so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.^{t 14}If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,^u you are blessed,^v for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.^{w 17}For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household;^x and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?^{y 18}And,

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”^az

¹⁹So then, those who suffer according to God’s will^a should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

To the Elders and the Flock

5To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder^b and a witness^c of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:^{d 2}Be shepherds of God’s flock^e that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;^f not pursuing dishonest gain,^g but eager to serve; ³not lording it over^h those entrusted to you, but being examplesⁱ to the flock. ⁴And when the Chief Shepherd^j appears, you will receive the crown of glory^k that will never fade away.^l

⁵In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves^m to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humilityⁿ toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud

but shows favor to the humble.”^ao

⁶Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.^{p 7}Cast all your anxiety on him^q because he cares for you.^r

⁸Be alert and of sober mind.^s Your enemy the devil prowls around^t like a roaring lion^u looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him,^v standing firm in the faith,^w because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is…