1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ {Iesous Christos, Anointed Messiah}, to the chosen sojourners {parepidemoi: temporary exiles} of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 According to the foreknowledge of God the Father {Theos Pater, Sovereign Initiator}, in the sanctification of the Spirit {Pneuma, Holy Sanctifier}, for obedience to Jesus Christ {Iesous Christos, Covenant Mediator} and for the sprinkling of His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
3 Praise be to the God {Theos, Worthy Of Praise} and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by His abundant mercy {eleos: undeserved compassion} He gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from among the dead.
4 To an inheritance {kleronomia: pledged portion} that cannot decay, cannot be defiled, and will not lose its brightness, stored up in the heavens for you {hymas: promised heirs}.
5 You are those being guarded by God’s {Theos, Faithful Protector} power through faith {pistis: trusting dependence}, for the salvation that stands ready to be unveiled in the last time.
6 In this you exult {agalliasthe: rejoice intensely}, even though for a little while now—if it is necessary—you have been distressed by many kinds of trials {peirasmos: tests and temptations}.
7 So that the proven worth {dokimion: proved worth under-testing} of your faith—more valuable than perishing gold, even though gold is refined by fire—may be found to bring praise, glory, and honor at the unveiling of Jesus Christ {Iesous Christos, Returning Messiah}.
8 You love Jesus Christ {Iesous Christos, Unseen Lord} though you have not seen Him, and though you do not see Him now, yet believing in Him, you rejoice with joy inexpressible {aneklaleto: beyond words} and filled with glory.
9 As you receive the outcome {telos: final result} of your faith—the salvation of your souls {psuche: whole personhood}.
10 About this salvation {soterias: promised deliverance}, the prophets who prophesied {propheteusantes: spoke with revealed insight} of the grace meant for you investigated and examined it carefully.
11 They were searching to know what time, or what kind of time, the Spirit of Christ {pneuma Christou, Prophetic Revealer} within them was indicating, as He testified beforehand to Christ’s {Christos, Suffering Messiah} sufferings and to the glories that would come after these.
12 It was revealed to them that they were ministering these things not for themselves but for you—things now announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit {pneuma hagion, Divine Empowering Presence} sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look {parakypsai: investigate deeply}.
13 Therefore, having girded up the loins {osphuas: core strength} of your mind and being sober, place your hope completely on the grace that is being brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ {Iesous Christos, Revealed Messiah}.
14 As children of obedience {hupakoe: ready to heed}, do not shape yourselves by the desires you formerly entertained in your ignorance {agnoia: lack of knowledge}.
15 Rather, just as the One {Theos, Holy Caller} who called you is holy, you also must be holy in all your conduct {anastrophe: manner of life}.
16 For it stands written: “You shall be holy {hagios: set apart}, because I {Theos, Holy Lawgiver} am holy.”
17 And if you call upon the One as Father {pater, Impartial Judge} who judges impartially according to each person’s work, then conduct yourselves in fear for the whole time of your sojourning {paroikia: temporary stay}.
18 Knowing that you were redeemed from your futile conduct {anastrophe: observable behavior} handed down from your fathers, not with perishable things {phthartois: temporary valuables} such as silver or gold.
19 But with the precious blood of Christ {Christos, Redeeming Sacrifice}, like a lamb {amnos: sacrificial animal} without blemish and without spot.
20 He {Christos, Preknown Redeemer} was foreknown before the foundation {kataboles: creation beginning} of the world, yet in these last times He was revealed for your sake.
21 Through Him {Christos, Resurrection Mediator} you are believers in God {Theos, Ground of Faith}, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
22 Since you have purified your souls {psuche: inner life} by obedience to the truth for sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from the heart {kardia: center of devotion}.
23 You have been reborn, not from perishable seed but from imperishable seed, through the living {zontos: actively alive} and enduring word of God {Theos, Life Source}.
24 For all flesh {sarx: mortal human nature} is like grass, and all its glory {doxa: outward radiance} like a flower of grass; the grass dried up, and the flower fell away.
25 But the word of the Lord {Kyrios, Everlasting Master} stays forever; and this is the word that was proclaimed as good news {euaggelisthen: joy-bringing announcement} to you.