GOD'S ELECT, STRANGERS IN THE WORLD

 

Peter, an Apostle of Jesus Christ,

TO GOD'S ELECT, STRANGERS IN THE WORLD,

Scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,

2 WHO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN

ACCORDING TO THE FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD THE FATHER,

THROUGH THE SANCTIFYING WORK OF THE SPIRIT,

FOR OBEDIENCE TO JESUS CHRIST

AND SPRINKLED BY HIS BLOOD:

Grace and Peace be yours in abundance.

New Birth Into A Living Hope

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

IN HIS GREAT MERCY

HE HAS GIVE US NEW BIRTH INTO A LIVING HOPE

THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD,

4 AND INTO AND INHERITANCE

THAT CAN NEVER PERISH, SPOIL OR FADE--

KEPT IN HEAVEN FOR YOU,

5 WHO THROUGH FAITH ARE SHIELDED BY GOD'S POWER

UNTIL THE COMING OF THE SALVATION

THAT IS READY TO BE REVEALED IN THE LAST TIME.

6 In this you Greatly Rejoice,

Though now for a little while

You may have had to Suffer Grief in all kinds of Trials.

7 THESE HAVE COME SO THAT YOUR FAITH--

OF GREATER WORTH THAN GOLD, WHICH PERISHES

EVEN THOUGH REFINED BY FIRE--

MAY PROVE GENUINE

AND MAY RESULT IN PRAISE, GLORY AND HONOR

WHEN JESUS CHRIST IS REVEALED.

8 THOUGH YOU HAVE NOT SEEN HIM, YOU LOVE HIM;

AND EVEN THOUGH YOU DO NOT SEE HIM NOW,

YOU BELIEVE IN HIM

AND ARE FILLED WITH AN INEXPRESSIBLE AND GLORIOUS JOY,

9 FOR YOU ARE RECEIVING THE GOAL OF YOUR FAITH,

THE SALVATION OF YOUR SOULS.

10 Concerning this Salvation, the Prophets,

Who spoke of the Grace that was to come to you,

SEARCHED INTENTLY AND WITH THE GREATEST CARE,

11 TRYING TO FIND OUT THE TIME AND CIRCUMSTANCES

TO WHICH THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST IN THEM WAS POINTING

WHEN HE PREDICTED THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST

AND THE GLORIES THAT WOULD FOLLOW.

12 IT WAS REVEALED TO THEM

THAT THEY WERE NOT SERVING THEMSELVES BUT YOU,

WHEN THEY SPOKE OF THE THINGS

THAT HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD YOU

BY THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM HEAVEN.

Even Angels long to look into these things.

(1 Peter 1:1-12)