1:1 From Peter,¹ an apostle of Jesus Christ. To those temporarily residing² in the dispersion³ (in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia,⁴ and Bithynia) who are chosen⁵ 1:2 according to God’s foreknowledge by being set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling⁶ with Jesus Christ’s blood. May grace and peace be yours in full measure!⁷

1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1:4 that is,⁸ into⁹ an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you, 1:5 who by God’s power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1:6 This brings you great joy,¹⁰ although you may have to suffer¹¹ for a short time in various trials. 1:7 Such trials show the proven character of your faith,¹² which is much more valuable than gold—gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away¹³—and will bring praise¹⁴ and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.¹⁵ 1:8 You¹⁶ have not seen him, but you love him. You¹⁷ do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice¹⁸ with an indescribable and glorious¹⁹ joy, 1:9 because you are attaining the goal of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

1:10 Concerning this salvation,²⁰ the prophets²¹ who predicted the grace that would come to you²² searched and investigated carefully. 1:11 They probed²³ into what person or time²⁴ the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he testified beforehand about the sufferings appointed for Christ²⁵ and his subsequent glory.²⁶ 1:12 They were shown²⁷ that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things now announced to you through those who evangelized you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things angels long to catch a glimpse of.

1:13 Therefore, get your minds ready for action,²⁸ by being fully sober, and set your hope²⁹ completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.³⁰ 1:14 Like obedient children, do not comply with³¹ the evil urges you used to follow in your ignorance,³² 1:15 but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct, 1:16 for it is written, “You shall be holy, because I am holy.”³³ 1:17 And if you address as Father the one who impartially judges according to each one’s work, live out the time of your temporary residence here³⁴ in reverence. 1:18 You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors, you were ransomed—not by perishable things like silver or gold, 1:19 but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, Christ. 1:20 He was foreknown³⁵ before the foundation of the world but³⁶ was manifested in these last times³⁷ for your sake. 1:21 Through him you now trust³⁸ in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

1:22 You have purified³⁹ your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love.⁴⁰ So⁴¹ love one another earnestly from a pure heart.⁴² 1:23 You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. 1:24 For

“all flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of the grass;⁴³
the grass withers and the flower falls off,
1:25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”⁴⁴

And this is the word that was preached to you.