1 Peter 1
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, unto the chosen pilgrims of the dispersion, throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, —
This letter comes from Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ, and is sent to God's chosen people: exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
2 [Chosen] according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of Spirit, unto obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, Favour unto you, and peace, be multiplied!
You were chosen by God the Father in his wisdom, made holy by the Spirit, so that you might obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood. May you have grace and peace more and more!
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who, according to his great mercy, hath regenerated us unto a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from among the dead,
Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through his great mercy we have been born again and given a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
4 Unto an inheritance, incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, reserved in the heavens for you
This inheritance is eternal, it never spoils or fades, and it is kept safe in heaven for you.
5 who, in God’s power, are being guarded through faith unto salvation—ready to be revealed in the last ripe time:
Through your trust in him, God will protect you by his power until salvation arrives—the salvation that is ready to be revealed at the last day.
6 Wherein ye exult, though, for a little, just now, if needful, put to grief in manifold temptations,
So be glad about this, even though you may be sad for a short while as you endure various trials.
7 In order that the proving of your faith—much more precious than of gold that perisheth even though, by means of fire, it is proved—may be found unto praise and glory and honour in the revealing of Jesus Christ, —
These prove that your trust in God is genuine, just as fire is used to prove if gold is genuine—even though that too can be destroyed—and your faith is more valuable than gold! In this way your trust in God will be recognized and you will receive praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ appears.
8 Whom, not having seen, ye love, on whom, though at present not looking, but believing, ye exult with joy unspeakable and filled with glory,
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you cannot see him now, you trust in him and you're filled with wonderful, indescribable happiness.
9 Being about to bear away the end of your faith—a salvation of souls:
Your reward for trusting in him is that you will be saved!
10 Concerning which salvation, prophets—who concerning the favour for you, did prophesy—sought out and searched out,
It was this salvation that the prophets searched for and investigated when they spoke of the grace that was prepared for you.
11 Searching into what particular, or what manner, of season the Spirit of Christ which was in them was pointing to, when witnessing beforehand as to—The sufferings, for Christ, and the glories, after these, —
They tried to find out when and how this would take place, for the Spirit of Christ inside them spoke clearly about Christ's sufferings and glory to come.
12 Unto whom it was revealed—that, Not unto themselves, but unto us, they were ministering them, which things have, now, been announced unto you through them who have told you the good tidings with Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven: into which things messengers are coveting to obtain a nearer view.
It was explained to them that they were not doing this for themselves, but for you—since what they spoke about you've now learned from those who shared the good news with you by the Holy Spirit that heaven sent. Even the angels are eager to find out about all this!
13 Wherefore, girding up the loins of your mind, keeping sober, perseveringly direct your hope unto the favour, being borne along to you, in the revealing of Jesus Christ:
Make sure your minds are in gear. Be clear-headed. Fix your hope exclusively on the grace you'll be given when Jesus is revealed.
14 As obedient persons, not configuring yourselves unto your former covetings in your ignorance:
Live like children that do what they're told. Don't allow yourselves to be shaped by your former sinful desires when you didn't know any better.
15 But, according as he that hath called you is holy, do, ye yourselves, also become, holy in all manner of behaviour, —
Now you need to be holy in everything you do, just as the one who called you is holy.
16 Inasmuch as it is written—Holy shall ye be, because, I, am holy.
As Scripture says, “You are to be holy, for I am holy.”
17 And, if, as Father, ye are invoking him who, without respect of persons, judgeth according to each man’s work, with reverence, for the time of your sojourning, behave ye;
Since you call him Father, and recognize he judges everyone impartially based on what they do, take your time here on earth seriously, respecting him.
18 Knowing that, Not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, have ye been redeemed from your unmeaning behaviour paternally handed down,
You already know that you were not set free from your pointless way of living that you inherited from your forefathers by things that don't have lasting value, like silver or gold.
19 But with precious blood, as of a lamb, unblemished and unspotted, of an Anointed One, —
You were set free by the costly blood of Christ, who was like a lamb with no flaw or defect.
20 Foreknown, indeed, before the foundation of the world, but made manifest at a last stage of the times, for the sake of you
He was chosen before the world was created, but he was revealed in these last days for your benefit.
21 who, through him, are faithful towards God, —Who raised him from among the dead, and glory to him gave, So that your faith and hope are directed towards God:
Through him you trust in God who raised him from the dead, and glorified him, so that you could have confidence and hope in God.
22 Having purified, your souls, by the obedience of the truth, unto unfeigned brotherly affection, from the heart, love, one another, earnestly;
Now that you've dedicated yourselves by following the truth, love each other sincerely like a true family.
23 Having been regenerated—Not out of corruptible seed, but incorruptible—through means of the word of a Living and Abiding God; (aiōn g165)
You've been born again, not the product of a mortal “seed,” but immortal, through the living, eternal word of God. (aiōn g165)
24 Inasmuch as—All flesh, is as grass, and, all the glory thereof, as the flower of grass, —The grass hath withered, and the flower hath fallen out,
For: “All people are like grass, and all their glory like wildflowers. The grass withers and the flowers fall.
