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THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF
PETER.
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CHAPTER 1.
ETER, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout
Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,
through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and
sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and
peace, be multiplied.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto
a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and
stedfast, and which entereth into that within the vail (Heb., 6:19)."
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that
fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation
ready to be revealed in the last time.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and
also to the Greek (Rom., 1:16)."
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need
be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than
of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be
found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus
Christ:
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is
tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised
to them that love him (Jas., 1:12)."
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see
him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and
full of glory:
"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast
believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet
have believed (Jno., 20:29)."
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of
your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched
diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto
you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ
which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the
sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
"But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for
they hear.
For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men
have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen
them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have
not heard them (Matt., 13:16, 17)."
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto
us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by
them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Spirit sent
down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
"But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the
Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God
(I. Cor., 2:10)."
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope
to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the
revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not
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fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in
all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
"Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy
(Lev., 19:2)."
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons
judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning
here in fear:
"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive
that God is no respecter of persons:
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is
accepted with him (Acts, 10:34, 35)."
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with
corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain
conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without
blemish and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the
world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the
dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in
God.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me (Jno., 14:6)."
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth
through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that
ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
"But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have
obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you
(Rom., 6:17)."
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of
incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of
God (Jno., 3:5)."
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:
"The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh
is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower
of the field:
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord
bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall
stand for ever (Isa., 40:6-8)."
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the
word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
CHAPTER 2.
HEREFORE laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and
envies, and all evil speakings,
"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and
receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your
souls (Jas., 1:21)."
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.
"And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to
come (Heb., 6:5)."
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.
"Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a
foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a
sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste (Isa., 28:16)."
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,
"The stone which the builders refused is become the head
stone of the corner (Ps., 118:22)."
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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.
"And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this
child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel;
and for a sign which shall be spoken against (Luke, 2:34)."
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises
of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous
light:
"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works
(Titus, 2:14)."
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are
now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have
obtained mercy.
"Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the
flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the
Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the
commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise,
having no hope, and without God in the world (Eph., 2:11, 12)."
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and
pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that,
whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your
good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of
visitation.
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's
sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no
power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of
God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation
(Rom., 13:1, 2)."
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
to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of
maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
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.
"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt., 5:10)."
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:
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after
me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me
(Matt., 16:24)."
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
"And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death;
because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his
mouth (Isa., 53:9)."
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he
suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that
judgeth righteously:
"Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou
art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do
dishonour me.
And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth
(Jno., 8:48-50)."
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree,
that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose
stripes ye were healed.
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the
Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (Jno., 1:29)."
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto
the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
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CHAPTER 3.
IKEWISE, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that,
if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the
conversation of the wives;
2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with
fear.
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of
plaiting 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.
"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man (Rom., 7:22)."
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 are not afraid with
any amazement.
"Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old
shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also
(Gen., 18:12)?"
7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to
knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker
vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that
your prayers be not hindered.
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of
another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe
on me through their word;
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in
thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that
thou hast sent me (Jno., 17:20, 21)."
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.
"But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite
thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also (Matt., 5:39)."
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:
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and
ensue it.
12 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.
"Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a
worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth (Jno., 9:31)."
13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers
of that which is good?
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who
can be against us (Rom., 8:31)?"
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are
ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready
always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason
of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
"Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of
the people, and elders of Israel,
If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man,
by what means he is made whole;
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the
name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised
from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you
whole.
This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is
become the head of the corner.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts, 4:8-12)."
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of
you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good
conversation in Christ.
"Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things
willing to live honestly (Heb., 13:18)."
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer
for well doing, than for evil doing.
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for
the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to
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death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
"For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the
world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put
away sin by the sacrifice of himself (Heb., 9:26)."
"And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the
spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead (Rom., 1:4)."
19 By which also he went and 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.
"For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead,
that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live
according to God in the spirit (I. Pet., 4:6)."
"And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for
that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and
twenty years.
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth,
and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart
was only evil continually.
And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the
earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy
them with the earth (Gen., 6:3, 5, 13)."
"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved
with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he
condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by
faith (Heb., 11:7)."
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now
save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer
of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as
Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so
we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we
shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection
(Rom., 6:4, 5)."
22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God;
angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
CHAPTER 4.
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.
"Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that
judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for
thou that judgest doest the same things (Rom., 2:1)."
3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have
wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked 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.
"And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it
is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and
dead (Acts, 10:42)."
6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that
are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but
live according to God in the spirit.
"By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
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 (I. Pet., 3:19, 20)."
7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober,
and watch unto prayer.
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves:
for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
"And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of
perfectness (Col., 3:14)."
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
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praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
"I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to
them, yet they prophesied.
But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear
my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and
from the evil of their doings (Jer., 23:21, 22)."
"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ,
who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his
kingdom;
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine (II. Tim., 4:1, 2)."
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 are partakers of Christ's
sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also
with exceeding joy.
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold
that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto
praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ
(I. Pet., 1:7)."
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are
ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their
part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in
necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when
I am weak, then am I strong (II. Cor., 12:10)."
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a
thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's
matters.
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be
ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
"And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch
(Acts, 11:26)."
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?
"And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness
against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false
swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his
wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger
from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts
(Mal., 3:5)."
"For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the
dry (Luke, 23:31)?"
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the
ungodly and the sinner appear?
"Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the
wicked and the sinner (Prov., 11:31)."
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.
HE elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a
witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory
that shall be revealed:
"For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order
the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had
appointed thee (Titus, 1:5)."
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight
thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre,
but of a ready mind;
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.
"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the
sheep (Jno., 10:11)."
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.
"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud,
but giveth grace unto the humble (Jas., 4:6)."
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring
it to pass.
And he shall bring forth thy righteousness
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as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday (Ps., 37:5, 6)."
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a
roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be
overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life,
and so that day come upon you unawares (Luke, 21:34)."
"When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth
it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away
that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the
way side (Matt., 13:19)."
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same
afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal
glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you
perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
"God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of
his Son Jesus Christ our Lord (I. Cor., 1:9)."
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a
far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory
(II. Cor., 4:17)."
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.
13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with
you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with
you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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