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1 Peter English Standard Version (ESV)
chapter 1
Greeting
1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia,
Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of
the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:May grace and peace be multiplied to
you.
Born Again to a Living Hope
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to
be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4to an inheritance that
is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5who by God's power are being guarded
through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you rejoice, though now for a little
while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7so that the tested genuineness of your
faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and
glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you
do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
9obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched
and inquired carefully, 11inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he
predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12It was revealed to them that they were
serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who
preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
Called to Be Holy
13Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that
will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14As obedient children, do not be conformed to the
passions of your former ignorance, 15but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
16since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." 17And if you call on him as Father who judges
impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,
18knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable
things such as silver or gold, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or
spot. 20He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for
your sake, 21who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that
your faith and hope are in God.
22Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another
earnestly from a pure heart, 23since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable,
through the living and abiding word of God; 24for "All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
25but the word of the Lord remains forever."And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
chapter 2
A Living Stone and a Holy People
1So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2Like newborn infants, long for
the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation-- 3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is
good.
4As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5you
yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual
sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a
stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
7So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders
rejected
has become the cornerstone,"
8and "A stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offense."They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may
proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10Once you were not
a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received
mercy.
11Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war
against your soul. 12Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you
as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Submission to Authority
13Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14or to
governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15For this is the will
of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16Live as people who
are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17Honor everyone. Love
the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
18Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the
unjust. 19For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
20For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer
for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21For to this you have been called, because
Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22He committed no
sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he
suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore
our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have
been healed. 25For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of
your souls.
chapter 3
Wives and Husbands
1Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be
won without a word by the conduct of their wives-- 2when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3Do
not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing--
4but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet
spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 5For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn
themselves, by submitting to their husbands, 6as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her
children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
7Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the
weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
Suffering for Righteousness' Sake
8Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9Do not
repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may
obtain a blessing. 10For "Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
13Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14But even if you should suffer for
righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15but in your hearts regard
Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for
the hope that is in you; 16yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when
you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to
suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God,
being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in
prison, 20because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark
was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21Baptism,
which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for
a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at the right
hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
chapter 4
Stewards of God's Grace
1Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has
suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for
human passions but for the will of God. 3The time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to
do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4With respect to
this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;
5but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For this is why the gospel
was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might
live in the spirit the way God does.
7The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
8Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9Show hospitality to one
another without grumbling. 10As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of
God's varied grace: 11whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who
serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus
Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Suffering As a Christian
12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something
strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also
rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed,
because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or
an evildoer or as a meddler. 16Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify
God in that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us,
what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And "If the righteous is scarcely
saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
19Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing
good.
chapter 5
Shepherd the Flock of God
1So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a
partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising
oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
3not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the chief Shepherd
appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the
elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives
grace to the humble."
6Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
7casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary
the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing
that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10And after
you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will
himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
12By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that
this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you
greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14Greet one another with the kiss of love.Peace to all of you who are in
Christ.