Christ the foundation stone. 22 Seeing ye have purified your 10 Which in time past were not souls in obeying the truth through a people, but are now the people the Spirit unto unfeigned love of of God: which had not obtained the brethren, see that ye love one mercy, but now have obtained another with a pure heart fer-mercy. vently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 1 CHAPTER 2. 1 He dehorteth them from the breach of cha rity: 4 shewing that Christ is the foundation whereupon they are built. 11 He beseecheth them also to abstain from fleshly lusts, 13 to be obedient to magistrates, is and teacheth servants how to obey their masters, 20 patiently suffering for well do ing, after the example of Christ. 5 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain 5 sojour from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put WHEREFORE laying aside all to silence the ignorance of foolish malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby : 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of malicious-wickedness, but as the servants of God. ness, 17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, 9 But ye are a chosen 3 8 genera- that we, being dead to sins, should having tion, a royal priesthood, an holy live unto righteousness: by whose died nation, a peculiar people: that stripes ye were healed. ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 1 sbands and wives. CHAPTER 3. I. PETER, 3, 4. 6 Christian baptism. in your 15 But sanctify the Lord God 6 sanctify 1 He teacheth the duty of wires and husbands | in your hearts: and be ready always to each other, 8 exhorting all men to unity to give an answer to every man and love, 14 and to suffer persecution. 19 He declareth also the benefits of Christ that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness toward the old world. LIKEWISE, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word ehaviour be won by the conversation of the wives; 1 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. that outward adorning of plaiting 3 Whose adorning let it not be the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and out in fear are not afraid with any amazement. any rror. would turn away rom pursue 2 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile : 4 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and "ensue it. T2 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; hearts Christ as Lord: 7 manner of 17 For it is better, if the will of life God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 8 9 In fered for sins, the just for the un18 For Christ also hath once sufjust, that he might bring us to flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 8 in the God, being put to death in the 199 By which also he went and spirit; preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the 10, answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: is on the right hand of God; angels 22 Who is gone into heaven, and and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. CHAPTER 4. 1 Ile exhorteth them to cease from sin by the example of Christ, and the consideration of the general end that now approacheth: 12 and comforteth them against persecution. FOR ORASMUCH then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walk in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. * Or, 10 appeal Sharing Christ's sufferings. 1 love I. PETER, 5. 6 For for this cause was the 8 And above all things have fer- 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye name of Christ, happy are ye; for 15 But let none of you suffer 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. CHAPTER 5. Pastoral chay. He exhorteth the elders to feed their flocks, Telders which are among you 22 Feed the flock of God which Tend 3 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.. 5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. lording it over the charge allotted to you, the 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon anxiety him; for he careth for you. 5 a 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because 10 But the God of all grace, who 6 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. fect, 13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. Mark 14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen. * Or, rowth in grace. our God nd Saviour by his own Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply 4 in 5 And in knowledge self-control; and in self THE SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL OF CHAPTER 1. PETER 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness ; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kind ness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, control sted- and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitand in sted-ful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. fastness; fastness godliness; 6 And in godliness love of the brethren; and in love of the brethren love. 7 eternal 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though * Or, ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 8 13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 9 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but 10 holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. CHAPTER 2. 1 He foretelleth them of false teachers, shewing the impiety and punishment both of them and their followers: 7 from which the godly shall be delivered, as Lot was out of Sodom: 10 and more fully describeth the manners of those profane and blasphemous seducers, whereby they may be the better known, and avoided. BUT there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who, privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying 11 destructhe Lord that bought them, and tive bring upon themselves swift destruction. * Or, God's judgments of old. 1 * lascivi ous 1 II. PETER, 3. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, 2 destruction and their damnation slumbereth 3 * pits not. 2 4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 4 5 And spared not the old world, 4 with seven but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bring ing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; others, 5 lascivious life 6 lawless 7 unright eous 8 rail at 9 railing in matters whereof they are ignorant, shall in their destroying surely be destroyed, Suffering wrong as the hire of wrongdoing, 6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; Bondage to sh they have exercised with covetous 15 Which have forsaken the right 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, 18 For when they speak great 19 While they promise them li- 20 For if after they have escaped 8 (For that righteous man dwell- 1 He assureth them of the certainty of Christ's THIS second epistle, beloved, I *just escaping 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment 13 of us the apostles of 13 of the the Lord and Saviour; Lord and Saviour through your 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, Or, apostles |