1 Peter

1 Peter

Chosen Exiles and the Father’s Forethought

From Peter,

a sent one of Jesus the Anointed One,

to the chosen sojourners

scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia—

chosen according to the forethought of God the Father,

set apart by the Spirit,

for obedience and for being sprinkled with the blood of Jesus the Anointed One:

May favor and peace be multiplied to you.

A Hope That Lives

Blessed be the God and Father

of our Master, Jesus the Anointed One.

In His great mercy,

He has birthed us anew into a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus the Anointed One from the dead—

into an inheritance that is imperishable,

unstained, and unfading,

kept in the heavens for you.

You are being protected by the power of God through trust,

for a rescue that is ready to be revealed in the last appointed moment.

In this you rejoice—

though now, for a little while if necessary,

you have been grieved by various trials.

These trials refine the authenticity of your trust—

more precious than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—

so that your trust may result in praise, honor, and glory

when Jesus the Anointed One is revealed.

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him.

And though you do not now see Him,

you trust in Him

and rejoice with inexpressible and radiant joy,

receiving the goal of your trust—

the rescue of your whole life.

The Prophets Pointed Ahead

The prophets who spoke about the favor that was to come to you

searched and inquired diligently,

trying to discern what time or what kind of moment

the Spirit of the Anointed One in them was indicating

when He testified beforehand

to the sufferings of the Anointed One

and the glories that would follow.

It was revealed to them

that they were not serving themselves, but you—

when they spoke of the things now announced to you

through those who brought you the good news

by the Set-Apart Spirit sent from heaven.

Even messengers long to peer into these things.

Called to Set-Apart Living

So, prepare your minds for action.

Be alert.

Set your hope fully on the favor

that will be brought to you at the revealing

of Jesus the Anointed One.

As children who respond,

do not conform to the desires of your former ignorance.

But just as the One who called you is set apart,

so you also be set apart in all your conduct.

For it is written:

“Be set apart, for I am set apart.”

And if you call on Him as Father,

the One who judges impartially according to each one’s work,

then live your time as strangers here

in reverent awe.

For you know that it was not with perishable things,

like silver or gold,

that you were rescued

from the empty ways handed down by your ancestors.

But with the precious blood of the Anointed One—

like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.

He was known before the foundation of the world,

but was revealed in these last moments for your sake.

Through Him you trust in God,

who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory,

so that your trust and hope are in God.

Born Again by the Living Word

Having purified your lives by obedience to the truth,

so that you show genuine brotherly love,

love one another deeply from the heart.

For you have been born again—

not of perishable seed,

but of imperishable—

through the living and enduring word of God.

For:

“All flesh is like grass,

and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.

The grass withers,

and the flower falls—

but the word of the Master remains forever.”

And this is the word

that was announced to you as good news.

———

Grow Up into Rescue

So rid yourselves of all:

malice,

deceit,

hypocrisy,

envy,

and every kind of slander.

Like newborn infants,

crave the pure, spiritual milk,

so that by it you may grow up into rescue—

if indeed you have tasted

that the Master is good.

A Spiritual House Built on the Living Stone

Come to Him—

the Living Stone,

rejected by humans

but chosen and precious in God’s sight.

You also, like living stones,

are being built into a spiritual house—

to be a set-apart priesthood,

offering spiritual sacrifices

acceptable to God through Jesus the Anointed One.

For it stands in Scripture:

“Look, I lay in Zion a stone,

a chosen and precious cornerstone,

and the one who trusts in Him

will never be put to shame.”

So the honor is for you who trust.

But for those who do not:

“The stone the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone,”

and:

“A stone that makes them stumble,

a rock that causes them to fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the word—

and this is the path they have chosen.

A People of Purpose

But you are:

a chosen lineage,

a royal priesthood,

a set-apart nation,

a people for His own possession—

so that you may declare the praises

of the One who called you out of darkness

into His marvelous light.

Once you were not a people,

but now you are the people of God.

Once you had not received mercy,

but now you have received mercy.

Honor in Exile

Dear friends,

I urge you as strangers and sojourners

to abstain from the cravings of the flesh,

which wage war against the life within.

Live honorably among the nations,

so that even if they accuse you of wrongdoing,

they may see your good deeds

and give honor to God when He visits.

Submit for the Sake of the Master

Submit yourselves, for the Master’s sake,

to every human institution—

whether to the emperor as supreme,

or to governors sent by him

to punish those who do wrong

and to praise those who do right.

For it is God’s will

that by doing good

you silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

Live as free people—

but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil.

Live as servants of God.

Show proper respect to everyone.

Love the family of believers.

Revere God.

Honor the emperor.

Suffering with Endurance

Servants, submit yourselves with all respect

to your masters—

not only to those who are good and gentle,

but also to those who are harsh.

For it is commendable

if someone bears up under pain

while suffering unjustly,

because they are mindful of God.

But how is it to your credit

if you endure punishment for doing wrong?

Yet if you suffer for doing good

and endure it,

this finds favor with God.

The Pattern of the Anointed One

To this you were called—

because the Anointed One also suffered for you,

leaving you an example,

so that you would follow in His steps:

“He committed no wrongdoing,

and no deceit was found in His mouth.”

When He was insulted,

He did not retaliate.

When He suffered,

He made no threats,

but entrusted Himself to the One

who judges justly.

He Himself carried our wrongs in His body on the tree,

so that we might die to wrongdoing

and live for what is right.

By His wounds, you were healed.

For you were like sheep going astray,

but now you have returned

to the Shepherd and Guardian of your lives.

———

In the Home: A Spirit of Respect

Wives, in the same spirit,

be supportive of your husbands,

so that even if some do not respond to the word,

they may be won over—without words—

by the conduct of their wives

when they see your pure and reverent way of life.

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—

elaborate hairstyles, gold jewelry, or fine clothing—

but let it be the hidden person of the heart,

with the unfading beauty of a gentle and peaceful spirit,

which is precious in God’s sight.

This is how the set-apart women of old

who put their trust in God adorned themselves—

being supportive of their husbands,

like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham

and called him “my master.”

You are her daughters

if you do what is good

and do not fear anything that is terrifying.

Husbands, in the same way,

live with understanding as you share life with your wife.

Honor her as a delicate vessel

and a co-heir of the favor of life,

so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Called to Blessing

Finally, all of you,

be like-minded, compassionate,

loving as family, tenderhearted, and humble.

Do not repay evil for evil

or insult for insult,

but on the contrary—bless,

because you were called for this,

so that you may inherit a blessing.

For:

“Whoever wants to love life

and see good days

must keep their tongue from evil

and their lips from speaking deceit.

Let them turn from evil and do good.

Let them seek peace and pursue it.

For the eyes of the Master are on the righteous,

and His ears are open to their prayer,

but the face of the Master

is against those who do evil.”

Suffering for Good, Not for Evil

Who is going to harm you

if you are zealous for what is good?

But even if you suffer for doing what is right,

you are blessed.

Do not fear what they fear,

and do not be shaken.

Instead, set apart the Anointed One as Master in your hearts.

Always be ready to give a gentle and respectful answer

to anyone who asks you the reason for the hope within you.

Keep a clear conscience,

so that those who speak against your good behavior in the Anointed One

may be put to shame.

For it is better—if it is God’s will—

to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

The Anointed One’s Victory Over All

For the Anointed One also suffered once for all—

the Just for the unjust—

to bring you to God.

He was put to death in the body

but made alive by the Spirit.

In that same Spirit, He went

and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—

those who long ago disobeyed

when God waited patiently in the days of Noah

while the ark was being built.

In it, only a few—eight people—were rescued through water.

This water symbolizes immersion,

which now also rescues you—

not as a cleansing of dirt from the body,

but as a response of a clear conscience toward God,

through the resurrection of Jesus the Anointed One.

He has gone into the heavens

and is at God’s right hand—

with messengers, authorities, and powers

made subject to Him.

———

Living for What Matters

Since the Anointed One suffered in His body,

arm yourselves also with the same mindset—

because whoever suffers in the body

is done with wrongdoing.

As a result,

they no longer live the rest of their earthly lives

for human desires,

but for the will of God.

You’ve already spent enough time in the past

doing what the nations choose to do—

living in:

unrestrained indulgence,

cravings,

drunkenness,

wild parties,

drinking bouts,

and lawless idol worship.

They are surprised

that you do not join them

in the same reckless behavior—

and they speak against you.

But they will have to give account

to the One who is ready to judge

the living and the dead.

This is why the good news was announced

even to those who are now dead—

so that even though judged in the flesh by human standards,

they might live in spirit according to God.

The End Is Near—Live Ready

The end of all things is near.

So be alert and clear-minded for the sake of your prayers.

Above all, love one another deeply,

because love covers over many failings.

Show hospitality to one another without complaining.

Each of you should use whatever gift you’ve received

to serve others,

as faithful stewards of God’s varied favor.

If anyone speaks,

they should speak as one conveying God’s words.

If anyone serves,

they should do so with the strength God supplies—

so that in everything,

God may be glorified through Jesus the Anointed One.

To Him be the glory and the power

forever and ever.

Amen.

Do Not Be Surprised by Suffering

Dear friends,

do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you,

which comes to test you,

as though something strange were happening.

Instead, rejoice

as you share in the sufferings of the Anointed One,

so that you may also rejoice with gladness

when His glory is revealed.

If you are insulted because of the name of the Anointed One,

you are blessed,

for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

If you suffer,

it should not be as a murderer,

a thief,

an evildoer,

or even a meddler in others’ affairs.

But if you suffer as one who follows the Anointed One,

do not be ashamed,

but honor God with that name.

Judgment Begins With the House of God

For it is time for judgment—

for things to be set right—

starting with the household of God.

And if it begins with us,

what will be the outcome

for those who resist the good news of God?

“If the righteous are barely delivered,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

So then,

those who suffer according to God’s will

should entrust their lives to a faithful Creator

and continue to do what is good.

———

A Word to the Elders

To the elders among you,

I appeal as a fellow elder,

a witness of the sufferings of the Anointed One,

and a sharer in the glory that is to be revealed:

Shepherd God’s flock that is among you—

not by compulsion, but willingly,

as God desires.

Not for dishonest gain,

but with eagerness.

Not as ones lording authority over those in your care,

but as examples to the flock.

And when the Chief Shepherd appears,

you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Clothed in Humility

Likewise, you who are younger,

submit to your elders.

And all of you,

clothe yourselves with humility toward one another,

because:

“God stands against the proud

but gives favor to the humble.”

Humble yourselves, therefore,

under the mighty hand of God,

so that He may lift you up at the proper time.

Cast all your worries on Him,

because He cares for you.

Be Alert—Stand Firm

Be alert. Be sober-minded.

Your enemy, the accuser,

prowls around like a roaring lion,

seeking someone to devour.

Resist him,

standing firm in the trust,

knowing that the same kinds of suffering

are being experienced by your brothers and sisters

throughout the world.

And after you have suffered a little while,

the God of all favor—

who called you to His age-enduring glory in the Anointed One—

will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

To Him be the power forever.

Amen.

Final Greetings

Through Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother,

I have written briefly,

encouraging you and testifying

that this is the true favor of God.

Stand firm in it.

She who is in Babylon,

chosen together with you, sends you greetings,

and so does Mark, my son.

Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in the Anointed One.