1 PeterChapter 1
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1From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. To God's chosen people who live as strangers, scattered through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. You were chosen 2just as God the Father knew ahead of time. The Spirit made you holy so you would obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood. May you have more and more grace and peace. 3Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of his great mercy, he has given us a new birth. He has given us a living hope because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. 4He has also given us new birth into a share of riches that will never die, spoil, or fade. These riches are kept in heaven for you. 5Through your faith, God's power protects you. It keeps you safe for the salvation that is ready to be shown at the end of time. 6This makes you very glad. But for a little while you may have had to be sad because of many kinds of trials. 7These trials come so that your faith may be proven real. Your faith is worth more than gold. Gold is tested by fire, but it still won't last. Your proven faith will bring praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is shown to the world. 8You have not seen him, but you love him. You don't see him now, but you believe in him. And you are filled with a glorious joy that is too great for words. 9You are now receiving the goal of your faith. That goal is the salvation of your souls. 10The prophets spoke about the grace that would come to you. They searched very carefully to learn about this salvation. 11The Spirit of Christ was in them. He told them ahead of time about the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would come after. The prophets tried to find out what time and what events the Spirit was pointing to. 12God showed them that they were not serving themselves. They were serving you. They spoke about the things you have now heard. Those who preached the good news to you told you these things by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. 13So get your minds ready for action. Think clearly. Put all your hope in the grace you will receive when Jesus Christ is shown to the world. 14Be like children who obey. Don't let the evil desires you had before shape your life. Back then you didn't know any better. 15The one who called you is holy. So you also must be holy in everything you do. 16Scripture says, "Be holy, because I am holy." 17You call on a Father who judges each person's work fairly. So live in awe and fear of him while you live here as strangers. 18You know that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down from your ancestors. It was not with things that wear out, like silver or gold. 19Instead, you were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ. He is like a lamb with no flaw or spot. 20God knew him before the world was made. But he was shown to the world in these last times for your sake. 21Through Christ you believe in God. God raised him from the dead and gave him glory. So your faith and hope are in God. 22You have made your souls pure by obeying the truth. Now you have true love for your brothers and sisters. So love one another deeply, from a pure heart. 23You have been born again. You were not born from a seed that dies, but from a seed that can never die. You were born again through the word of God, which lives and lasts forever. 24Scripture says,
"All people are like grass.
All their glory is like the flowers in the field.
The grass dries up, and the flowers fall off, 25but the word of the Lord lasts forever."
And this is the word that was preached to you.