2 men, but with God elect, 'precious, ye also, as living 5 stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Because it is contained 6 in scripture, 3 Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, 'precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame. For you therefore who believe is the preciousness: 7 but for such as disbelieve, and, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; "for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are an 9 elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may shew forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: who in time past were no 10 people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, 11 to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your behaviour seemly among the Gen- 12 tiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 9 For 15 Be subject to every ordinance of man for the 13 Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as sent 10 by him for vengeance 14 on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well. so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and 16 not "using your freedom for a cloke of 12 wickedness, but as bondservants of God. Honour all men. the brotherhood. Fear God. 13 Honour the king. Love 17 'Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all 18 fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is acceptable, if for conscience 1to- 19 14 1 ward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is 21'acceptable with God. For hereunto were ye called: Gr. grace. because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an 22 example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no 23 sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed himself to him that 2Or, his 24 judgeth righteously: who his own self bare our sins 3 Or, carried in his body upon the tree, that we, having died up... to unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose the tree 25 stripes ye were healed. For ye were going astray Gr. bruise. like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 3 4 cause 5 Or, Overseer In like manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the beha- Or, manner of life 2 viour of their wives; beholding your chaste behaviour 3 coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing 4 jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the 5 sight of God of great price. For after this manner aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their 6 husbands: as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord whose children ye now are, if ye do well, are not put in fear by any terror. 7 7 8 9 own and Or, husSarah bands (as ... ye are become), and not being Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives doing well, according to knowledge, giving honour unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint- afraid heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers with be not hindered. 8 Or, afraid • Gr. unto vessel, lov- the female not as weaker. but 10 Gr. sympathetic. 8 Finally, be ye all likeminded, 10 compassionate, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile: And let him turn away from evil, and do good; 11 For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, 12 ye suffer But the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be zealous 13 of that which is good? But and if ye should suffer 14 for righteousness' sake, blessed are ye: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled; but sanctify in your 15. hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, wherein ye 16 are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ. For it is 17 better, if the will of God should so will, that for well-doing than for evil-doing. Because Christ 18 also 'suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but quickened in the spirit; in 19 which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison, who aforetime were disobedient, when the 20 longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, that is, eight eight souls, were saved through water: which also 21 after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the *interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ; who is on 22 the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. 1 Many ancient authorities read died. 2 Or, into which few, souls, were brought safely through water 3 Or, in the antitype 4 Or, inquiry Or, appeal 5 Or, thought • Some ancient authorities read unto sins. 7 Or, he no longer.. his time 3 2 5 Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm 4 ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that 2 'ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For 3 7 P the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abomi4 nable idolatries: wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same 'excess of riot, speak- 1Or, flood 5 ing evil of you who shall give account to him that is 6 ready to judge the quick and the dead. For unto this end 2 was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore Or, were the preached" good tidings 8 of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer: above all 3Gr. 12 4 Gr. unto the ages. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery ages of the trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, 13 as though a strange thing happened unto you: but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye 14 may rejoice with exceeding joy. If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the 'Gr. in. Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you. 15 For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men's matters: 16 but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be 17 ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name. For 5 the time is come for judgement to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end 18 of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly 19 and sinner appear? Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator. 1 Some ancient authorities omit exercising the oversight. 2 Some ancient authorities omit accord ing to the will of God. 3 Or, Like wise elder; yea, all of you one to another. Gird yourselves with humility 4 Or, the 5 Gr. being accom plished. 6 Gr. brotherhood. 3 The elders therefore among you I exhort, who am a 5 fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Tend the flock of God which is among you, 2 'exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as lording it over the 3 charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd 4 shall be manifested, ye shall receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger, be sub-5 ject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. Humble 6 yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your 7 anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom withstand stedfast in your faith, know- 9 ing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world. And the God of all 10 grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself 7 8 Be 8 7 Or, restore perfect, stablish, strengthen you. To him be the 11 dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 8 Many ancient authorities add settle. 9 Gr. unto the ages of the ages. 10 Gr. the. 11 That is, The church, or, The sister. By Silvanus, 10 our faithful brother, as I account him, 12 I have written unto you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God: stand fast ye therein. She that is in Babylon, elect together with 13 you, saluteth you; and so doth Mark my son. Salute 14 11 one another with a kiss of love. Peace be unto you all that are in Christ. |