Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles

1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the sojourners who are scattered through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithyuia,

2Elected according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

3Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his great mercy hath begotten us again to a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and unfading, laid up in heaven for you;

5Who by the power of God are kept through faith unto salvation, which is ready to be revealed at the last time:

6On account of which ye exult, though now for a little while, if it be necessary, ye are made sorrowful through various temptations;

7That the probation of your faith, much more precious than gold which perisheth, though even it be proved by fire, may be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, when Jesus Christ shall be revealed:

8Whom, though ye have not seen, ye love; on whom believing, though ye see him not, ye exult with joy unspeakable and glorious;

9Receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

10Of which, salvation the prophets inquired and searched, who prophesied of future grace to us;

11Searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ who was in them did signify, previously testifying of the sufferings of Christ, and of the glories which were to follow:

12To whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to us they ministered the things which have been now declared to you by those who have preached to you the gospel, through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven; into which things the angels desire to look.

13Therefore, girding up the loins of your mind, being sober, perfectly hope for the grace which is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14As obedient children, not conformed to former lusts which prevailed during your ignorance:

15But as he who has called you is holy, be ye also yourselves holy in yourwhole conduct;

16Because it is written, "Be ye holy, for I sin holy."

17And since ye call on the Father, who, without respect of persons, judgeth the work of every one, puss in fear the time of your

18Sojourning; knowing that not with corruptible things, silver or gold, you have been redeemed from your vain way of living, delivered down from the fathers;

19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb unspotted and undefiled:

20Who had been, indeed, foreordained before the world was founded, but has been manifested in the last times for you,

21Who through him believe in God, who has raised him from the dead, and has given him glory, that your faith and hope may be in God:

22Purifying your souls by obedience to the truth through the Spirit, with an unfeigned brotherly love, love ye one another from a pure heart fervently;

23Having been begotten again, not from a seed that is corruptible, but incorruptible, through the word of the living God, which abideth for ever.

24For all flesh is as grass, and all his glory as the flower of the grass: wither does the grass, and its flower fades;

25but the word of the Lord remains for ever: and this is the word which has been declared to you.