THE FIRST EPISTLE

OF PETER

I PETER I

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the sojourners who are scattered abroad, chosen, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, for sanctification through the Spirit: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope, unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved for you, who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto salvation. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials; that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ: whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

For concerning this salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when

it testified beforehand the sufferings unto Christ, and the glories that should follow them. For thus was it revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, were they ministering these things, which have now been announced unto you through them that preached unto you the gospel.

And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in soberness: knowing that ye were redeemed from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers, not with corruptible things, such as silver and gold, but with the priceless life of Christ who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested in the latter times for your sake, who are believers in God; so that your faith and hope might be in God.

Seeing then that ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently: having been born again, not of flesh and blood, but of the Spirit, through the word of God who liveth and abideth for ever.

I PETER II

Isaiah lvii, lxvi. II Corinthians vi. Ephesians ii Thus saith the Lord:

Heaven is my throne,

And the earth is my footstool;

What manner of house will ye build unto me?
And where shall be my dwelling-place?

For all these things hath mine hand made,

And so came all these things to be, saith the

Lord.

But in this man will I dwell,

Even in him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, And that honoureth my word.

For I dwell in the high and lofty place,

In him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.

For know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? Yea, ye are the temple of the living God; and are built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone; in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

Laying aside therefore all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, come unto God, as unto a living Stone, that ye also, as living stones, may be built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God.

I PETER II, III, IV

I beseech you, as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshy lusts, which war against the soul; having your behaviour seemly in the world: that, wherein they speak against you, they may by your good manner of life, which they behold, glorify God. Wherefore let your adorning not be the outward adorning of wearing jewels of

gold, or of putting on apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, even the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner did they also aforetime, who hoped in God, adorn themselves: whose children ye now are, if ye do well.

Be ye therefore all of one mind, having compassion one on another, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humbleminded: not rendering evil for evil, reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; knowing that hereunto were ye called,. that ye should inherit a blessing. For it is writ

ten:

He that would love life,

And see good days,

Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips that they speak no guile:
Let him eschew evil, and do good;
Let him seek peace, and pursue it.

Finally, be ye all of sound mind, and watch unto prayer: above all things, being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins: using hospitality one to another without murmuring: according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God; if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified.

I PETER II, III, IV

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, 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 may rejoice with exceeding joy. If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you. But let none of you suffer as an evil-doer: but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.

For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. But 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 acceptable with God. For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered before you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed his cause to him that judgeth righteously. Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God, commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.

Sanctify therefore the Lord God in your hearts: 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