Petri I 2
1 Deponentes igitur omnem malitiam, et omnem dolum, et simulationes, et invidias, et omnes detractiones,
Now that you have done with all malice, all deceitfulness, insincerity, jealous feelings, and all backbiting,
2 sicut modo geniti infantes, rationabile, sine dolo lac concupiscite: ut in eo crescatis in salutem:
like newly born infants, crave pure spiritual milk, so that you may be enabled by it to grow until you attain salvation –
3 si tamen gustastis quoniam dulcis est Dominus.
since “you have found by experience that the Lord is kind.”
4 Ad quem accedentes lapidem vivum, ab hominibus quidem reprobatum, a Deo autem electum, et honorificatum:
Come to him, then, as to a living stone, rejected, indeed, by men, but in God’s eyes choice and precious;
5 et ipsi tamquam lapides vivi superædificamini, domus spiritualis, sacerdotium sanctum, offerre spirituales hostias, acceptabiles Deo per Iesum Christum:
and, as living stones, form yourselves into a spiritual house, to be a consecrated priesthood, for the offering of spiritual sacrifices that will be acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 Propter quod continet Scriptura: Ecce pono in Sion lapidem summum angularem, electum, pretiosum: et qui crediderit in eum, non confundetur.
For there is a passage of scripture that runs – “See, I am placing in Zion a choice and precious cornerstone; and those who believe in him will have no cause for shame.”
7 Vobis igitur honor credentibus: non credentibus autem lapis, quem reprobaverunt ædificantes, hic factus est in caput anguli:
It is to you, then, who believe in him that he is precious, but to those who do not believe he is “a stone which, though rejected by the builders, has now itself become the corner-stone,”
8 et lapis offensionis, et petra scandali his, qui offendunt verbo, nec credunt in quo et positi sunt.
and “a stumbling-block, and a rock which will prove a hindrance.” They stumble because they do not accept the message. This was the fate destined for them.
9 Vos autem genus electum, regale sacerdotium, gens sancta, populus acquisitionis: ut virtutes annuncietis eius, qui de tenebris vos vocavit in admirabile lumen suum.
But you are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, God’s own people,” entrusted with the proclamation of the goodness of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
10 Qui aliquando non populus, nunc autem populus Dei: qui non consecuti misericordiam, nunc autem misericordiam consecuti.
Once you were “not a people,” but now you are “God’s people”; once you “had not found mercy,” but now you “have found mercy.”
11 Charissimi, obsecro vos tamquam advenas et peregrinos abstinere vos a carnalibus desideriis, quæ militant adversus animam,
Dear friends, I beg you, as pilgrims and strangers on earth, to refrain from indulging the cravings of your earthly nature, for they make war on the soul.
12 conversationem vestram inter Gentes habentes bonam: ut in eo, quod detrectant de vobis tamquam de malefactoribus, ex bonis operibus vos considerantes, glorificent Deum in die visitationis.
Let your daily life among the Gentiles be so upright, that, whenever they malign you as evildoers, they may learn, as they watch, from the uprightness of your conduct, to praise God “at the time when he will visit them.”
13 Subiecti igitur estote omni humanæ creaturæ propter Deum: sive regi quasi præcellenti:
Submit to all human institutions for the Lord’s sake, alike to the emperor as the supreme authority,
14 sive ducibus tamquam ab eo missis ad vindictam malefactorum, laudem vero bonorum:
and to governors as sent by him to punish evildoers and to commend those who do right.
15 quia sic est voluntas Dei, ut benefacientes obmutescere faciatis imprudentium hominum ignorantiam:
For God’s will is this – that you should silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right.
16 quasi liberi, et non quasi velamen habentes malitiæ libertatem, sed sicut servi Dei.
Act as free people, yet not using your freedom as those do who make it a cloak for wickedness, but as Servants of God.
17 Omnes honorate: fraternitatem diligite: Deum timete: Regem honorificate.
Show honour to everyone, love the Lord’s followers, “revere God, honour the emperor.”
18 Servi subditi estote in omni timore dominis, non tantum bonis et modestis, sed etiam dyscolis.
Those of you who are domestic servants should always be submissive and respectful to their masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are arbitrary.
19 Hæc est enim gratia, si propter Dei conscientiam sustinet qui tristitias, patiens iniuste.
For this wins God’s approval when, because conscious of God’s presence, a person who is suffering unjustly bears their troubles patiently.
20 Quæ enim est gloria, si peccantes, et colaphizati suffertis? Sed si bene facientes patienter sustinetis: hæc est gratia apud Deum.
What credit can you claim when, after doing wrong, you take your punishment for it patiently? But, on the other hand, if, after doing right, you take your sufferings patiently, that does win the approval of God.
21 In hoc enim vocati estis: quia et Christus passus est pro nobis, vobis relinquens exemplum ut sequamini vestigia eius.
For it was to this that you were called! For Christ, too, suffered – on your behalf – and left you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 qui peccatum non fecit, nec inventus est dolus in ore eius:
He “never sinned, nor was anything deceitful ever heard from his lips.”
23 qui cum malediceretur, non maledicebat: cum pateretur, non comminabatur: tradebat autem iudicanti se iniuste:
He was abused, but he did not answer with abuse; he suffered, but he did not threaten; he entrusted himself to him whose judgments are just.
24 qui peccata nostra ipse pertulit in corpore suo super lignum: ut peccatis mortui, iustitiæ vivamus: cuius livore sanati estis.
And he “himself carried our sins” in his own body to the cross, so that we might die to our sins, and live for righteousness. “His bruising was your healing.”
25 Eratis enim sicut oves errantes, sed conversi estis nunc ad Pastorem, et Episcopum animarum vestrarum.
Once you were straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
