rose. For this is pleasing, if from a conscientious regard to 20 God one endureth grief suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if when you commit a fault and are beaten, you suffer patiently? But if when acting well you meet with ill usage, and bear it, this is well-pleasing in the sight of God. For to 21 this you have been called, because Christ himself suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his 22 footsteps, who committed no sin, nor was guile found in his 23 mouth-who when he was reviled, did not revile again, when he suffered, did not threaten; but committed himself to him 24 who judgeth righteously; who himself offered up our sins in his own body on the cross, that we, being freed from those sins, might live for righteousness; "by whose stripes you have 25 been healed.*" For you were like sheep going astray, but are now brought back to the shepherd and overseer of your souls. III. In like manner ye wives, be subject to your own hus bands, that if any of them disbelieve the word they may by the deportment of their wives, without a word, be won over, 2 when they see your reverential, chaste behaviour. And let 3 your adorning be, not that which is external by plaiting the hair with appendages of gold, nor finery of dress; but the hid 4 den man of the heart, with the incorruptible ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is highly precious in the sight 5 of God. For thus, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God adorned themselves, submitting to their husbands, 6 (as Sarah, whose daughters you are, obeyed Abraham, calling him lord) doing what was right, and alarmed by no terror. Likewise ye husbands cohabit with your wives, paying respect to them as the weaker sex, and moreover as co-heirs with you of the grant of life, that there may be no impediment to your prayers. 7 8 Finally, be all of one mind, sympathising with one another, full of brotherly love, compassionate, courteous, not ren9 dering evil for evil, revile for revile; but on the contrary, blessing; knowing that you have been called for this, that you may inherit a blessing. *Es. 53. 5. 10 11 12 13 For "whoever desireth life; and loveth to see good days; And his lips from speaking guile; Because the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, But the face of the Lord is against them who do evil.*" Who then will hurt you if you be imitators of him who is 14 good? But if you should even suffer on the account of righte ousness, you are happy. Be not terrified with the fear of them, 15 nor dismayed; but sanctify the Lord in your hearts" and be always prepared, in answer to every one who demandeth of you a reason for the hope which is in you, to make a defence 16 with meekness and fear, having a good conscience, that when they speak against you as evil doers, they who calumniate 17 your good conversation in Christ may be put to shame. For if it be the will of God that you should suffer, it is better that you should suffer as well doers than as evil doers. 18 Because Christ himself suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God: being indeed put to death in flesh, but brought to life by that spirit with 19 which he went, and to the spirits which are [now] in prison 20 made proclamation at the time they were disobedient-when the long suffering of God was waiting once for all in the days of Noe, while the ark was a building, in which a few, that is 21 eight souls, made their escape during the flood; an antitype to which, namely baptism, (not a removal of the filth of the flesh, but an earnest conscientious application to God) doth now save us also, by means of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who, having gone to heaven, is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him. IV. Christ therefore having suffered in flesh for us, arm ye 2 yourselves with this reflection, that he who hath suffered in flesh hath been stopped from sin, to the end that he may no Literally, a request or application of a good conscience, longer live the rest of his time in flesh for the lusts of men; 3 but for the will of God. For the past time of this life sufficeth* to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, walking in lascivi4 ousness, inordinate desires, excess of wine, revels, carouses, and abominable idolatries; at this they are surprized; and when you do not run with them into the same sink of de5 bauchery, they rail. They shall give an account to him who 6 is prepared to judge living and dead. For to this end also the gospel was proclaimed to the dead, that judged as they might be according to men in flesh, they might live according to God in spirit. 7 Now the end of all things is at hand, therefore be sober, 8 and watch unto prayer, and above all things have fervent love 9 for one another: for this love will cover a multitude of sins. 10 Be hospitable to one another without grudging. According as every one hath received a free gift continue dispensing it to each other as good stewards of the manifold grace of God 11 if any one speaketh, as speaking the oracles of God; if any one dispenseth, as dispensing out of a stock which God supplieth; that in all things God may be gloried through Jesus Christ, to whom belongeth the glory and the power, for the ages of the ages. Amen. 12 Beloved, be not surprized at the fiery trial among you, 13 which is come upon you to try you, as if some strange thing had befallen you: but inasmuch as you partake of the sufferings of the Christ, rejoice; that at the manifestation of his glory 14 you may indeed rejoice with exceeding great joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ you are happy; because the spirit of the glory, even the spirit of God resteth on you. On 15 their part indeed it is reviled, but on your part it is glorified. 16 For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or a malefactor, or as a usurper of authority; and if as a Christian, 17 let him not be ashamed, but glorify God in this respect. For the time is come when judgment is to begin at the house of God. And if it begin first with us, what must be the end of 18 them who disregard the glad tidings of God? "If the right *Some copies have us, and some you, and some neither. eous scarcely escapeth, where shall the ungodly and sinner ap19 pear?"* Let them therefore who suffer according to the will of God, commit their souls to him in well doing, as to a faithful creator. V. With regard to the elders among you, being myself a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and a partaker of the glory about to be revealed, I give them this 2 exhortation-Tend the flock of God which is among you, watching over it, not by constraint, but willingly; not with a 3 view to sordid gain, but with a ready mind; not as exercising 4 dominion over the lots, but as being examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive an unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise ye who are young, submit to those more advanced in years. And being all submissive to one another; adorn yourselves with humility; because "God resisteth the 6 proud and granteth favour to the humble; "t therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may in 7 due time exalt you. Having cast all your care upon him, for 8 he careth for you, be sober, be watchful: because your adversary the devil is walking about, like a roaring lion, seek9 ing whom he may devour, him you should resist, standing firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are undergone by your brotherhood in the world. 10 Now may the God of all favour, who hath invited us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, when we have suffered a little-may he himself fit, support, strengthen and establish 11 you! To him be the glory and the power, for the ages of the ages. Amen. 12 By Sylvanus the faithful brother I have, as I reckon, written briefly to you, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true favour of God for which you stand up. 13 14 The congregation at Babylon salute you. So doth Marcus my son. Salute one another with a holy kiss. Peace be with you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen. THE SECOND EPISTLE OF THE APOSTLE PETE R. I. SIMON PETER, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them who have obtained a like precious belief with us, in the 2 saving goodness of our God and saviour Jesus Christ, favour be to you, and may peace be multiplied by an acknowledgment of God, and of Jesus our Lord. 3 As his divine power hath freely granted those things conducive to life and godliness, and all are ours by our acknow4 ledging him who hath called us by glory and virtue, through which he hath freely made us very great and precious promises, that by them you may become partakers of a divine na5 ture when you have fled from the corruption which is in the world by lust; therefore, having on your part used all diligence for the very same purpose, add to your faith fortitude; 6 and to fortitude, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; 7 and to temperance, perseverance; and to perseverance, piety; and to piety, brotherly affection; and to brotherly affection, 8 universal love; for these being in you, and abounding, dispose you to be neither idle nor unfruitful for the acknowledg9 ing of our Lord Jesus Christ: for he who is without these is blind, having closed his eyes, having contracted a forgetful10 ness of the purification of his past sins. Therefore, brethren, use the more diligence to make your call and election sure; for if you practise these you will never fall; for thus there 11 will further be administered to you, bounteously, the entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and saviour Jesus 12 Christ. For this purpose I will not neglect to put you always in mind of these things, though you already know them, and |