Greeting to the Elect Pilgrims
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To the pilgrims John 7:35; James 1:1of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Eph. 1:4elect (Rom. 8:29); 1 Pet. 1:20according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, 2 Thess. 2:13in sanctification of the Spirit, for Rom. 1:5obedience and Is. 52:15; Heb. 10:22; 12:24sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:
Rom. 1:7Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
A Heavenly Inheritance
3 Eph. 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who Gal. 6:16; Titus 3:5according to His abundant mercy (John 3:3, 5)has begotten us again to a living hope 1 Cor. 15:20; 1 Pet. 3:21through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, Col. 1:5reserved in heaven for you, 5 John 10:28; (Phil. 4:7)who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Matt. 5:12In this you greatly rejoice, though now 2 Cor. 4:17for a little while, if need be, James 1:2; 1 Pet. 4:12you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that James 1:3the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though Job 23:10it is tested by fire, (Rom. 2:7)may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 1 John 4:20whom having not seen you love. John 20:29Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace thatwouldcome to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, 2 Pet. 1:21the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which Eph. 3:10angels desire to look into.
Living Before God Our Father
13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not (Rom. 12:2); 1 Pet. 4:2conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 (2 Cor. 7:1)but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, Lev. 11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:7"Be holy, for I am holy."
17 And if you call on the Father, who Acts 10:34without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 1:2with the precious blood of Christ, Ex. 12:5; Is. 53:7as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 Rom. 3:25He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest Gal. 4:4in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, Acts 2:24who raised Him from the dead and Acts 2:33gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
The Enduring Word
22 Since you Acts 15:9have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere John 13:34; Rom. 12:10; Heb. 13:1; 1 Pet. 2:17; 3:8love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23 John 1:13having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, 1 Thess. 2:13; James 1:18through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 24 because
Is. 40:6–8; James 1:10"All flesh is as grass,
And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.
The grass withers,
And its flower falls away,
25 Is. 40:8But the word of the Lord endures forever."
(John 1:1)Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.