Peter - , an apostle of Jesus Christ , To (the) elect who are exiles of (the) Dispersion (throughout) Pontus , Galatia , Cappadocia , Asia , and Bithynia, (chosen)
according to (the) foreknowledge of God (the) Father (and) sanctified by (the) Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by (His) blood : Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Blessed (be) the God and Father of our - Lord Jesus Christ ! By His great - mercy (He) vvv has given us new birth into a living hope through (the) resurrection of Jesus Christ from (the) dead ,
(and) into an inheritance (that is) imperishable , - undefiled , and unfading , reserved in heaven for you ,
who through faith (are) shielded by God’s power for (the) salvation (that is) ready to be revealed in (the) last time.
In this you greatly rejoice , though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials
so that the proven character of your - faith — more precious than gold , which perishes even though refined by fire — may result in ... praise , - glory , and honor at (the) Revelation - of Jesus Christ.
vvv (Though) you have not seen (Him) , you love (Him) ; vvv (and though) you do not see (Him) now , you believe in (Him) and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy ,
(now that) you are receiving the goal of your faith , (the) salvation of (your) souls.
Concerning this salvation , (the) prophets who foretold ... the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully ,
trying to determine ... the time and setting ... ... ... to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories vvv to follow.
It was revealed to (them) that vvv they were not serving themselves , but you , (when they foretold) the things - vvv now announced - by those who preached the gospel to you by (the) Holy Spirit sent from heaven. (Even) angels long to look into (these things).
Therefore prepare ... ... ... your minds {for action}. Be sober-minded. Set (your) hope fully on the grace to be given you at (the) Revelation - of Jesus Christ.
As obedient children , vvv do not conform to the passions of your former - ignorance.
But just as He who called you (is) holy , so - be holy in all you do ,
for it is written : - “ Be holy , because I am holy.”
- Since you call on (a) Father who Judges - - each one’s - work impartially , conduct yourselves in reverent fear during - your stay as foreigners.
(For) you know that vvv it was not with perishable things (such as) silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers ,
but with (the) precious blood of Christ , - a lamb without blemish (or) spot.
- He was known before (the) foundation of (the) world , but was revealed in the last times for your sake ....
Through Him (you) believe in God , who raised Him ... from (the) dead and vvv glorified Him ; and so your - faith and hope are in God.
(Since) you have purified your - souls by - obedience to the tRuth - so that you have a genuine love for your brothers ... , love one another deeply , from a pure 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 glory like (the) flowers of the field ; the grass withers and the flowers fall ,
but the word of (the) Lord stands vvv vvv forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.