Hello, this is Father Paul, and I'm glad we're
taking this journey together to read the Bible
in a year. Today's reading is the first epistle
of Peter, chapters 1 to 5. Chapter 1. Peter,
an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the pilgrims of
the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia,
Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge
of God the Father. in sanctification of the Spirit,
for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of
Jesus Christ, grace to you and peace be multiplied.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has
begotten us again to a living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to
an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and
that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for
you. who are kept by the power of God through
faith for salvation, ready to be revealed in
the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though
now for a little while, if need be, you have
been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness
of your faith, being much more precious than
gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire,
may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the
revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen,
you love. Though now you do not see him, yet
believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible
and full of glory, receiving the end of your
faith, the salvation of your souls. Of this salvation
the prophets have inquired and searched carefully,
who prophesied of the grace that would come to
you, searching what or what manner of time the
Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating
when he testified beforehand the sufferings of
Christ and the glories that would follow. To
them it was revealed that, not to themselves,
but to us, they were ministering the things which
now have been reported to you through those who
have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit
sent from heaven, things which angels desire
to look into. Therefore, gird up the loins of
your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully
upon the grace that is to be brought to you at
the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children,
not conforming yourselves to the former lusts
as in your ignorance. But as he who called you
is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
because it is written, Be holy, for I am holy.
And if you call on the Father, who without partiality
judges according to each one's work, conduct
yourselves throughout the time of your stay here
in fear. knowing that you were not redeemed with
corruptible things, like silver or gold, from
your aimless conduct received by tradition from
your fathers, but with the precious blood of
Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without
spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation
of the world, but was manifest in these last
times for you, who through him believe in God,
who raised him from the dead and gave him glory,
so that your faith and hope are in God. Since
you have purified your souls in obeying the truth,
through the spirit and sincere love of the brethren,
love one another fervently with a pure heart,
having been born again, not of corruptible seed,
but incorruptible, through the word of God which
lives and abides forever, because all flesh is
as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower
of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower
falls away, but the word of the Lord endures
forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel
was preached to you. Coming to him as to a living
stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by
God and precious. You also as living stones are
being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood,
to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to
God through Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is also
contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in
Zion, a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and
he who believes on him will by no means be put
to shame. Therefore, to you who believe, he is
precious. But to those who are disobedient, the
stone which the builders rejected has become
the chief cornerstone, and the stone of stumbling
and a rock of offense. They stumble being disobedient
to the word, to which they also were appointed.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, his own special people. that you
may proclaim the praises of him who called you
out of darkness into his marvelous light, who
once were not a people but are now the people
of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have
obtained mercy. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners
and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which
war against the soul, having your conduct honorable
among the Gentiles. that when they speak against
you as evildoers, they may, by your good works
which they observe, glorify God in the day of
visitation. Therefore submit yourselves to every
ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether
to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to
those who are sent by him for the punishment
of evildoers, and for the praise of those who
do good. For this is the will of God, that by
doing good you may put to silence the ignorance
of foolish men. As free, yet not using liberty
as a cloak for vice, but as bond -servants of
God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood,
fear God, honor the king. Servants, be submissive
to your masters with all fear, not only to the
good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this
is commendable, if because of conscience toward
God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
For what credit is it if, when you are beaten
for your faults, you take it patiently? But when
you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently,
this is commendable before God. For to this you
were called, because Christ also suffered for
us, leaving us an example, that you should follow
his steps. Who committed no sin, nor was deceit
found in his mouth. Who, when he was reviled,
did not revile in return. When he suffered, he
did not threaten, but committed himself to him,
who judges righteously, who himself bore our
sins in his own body on the tree, that we, having
died to sins, might live for righteousness, by
whose stripes you were healed. For you were like
sheep going astray, but have now returned to
the shepherd and overseer of your souls. Chapter
3 Wives, likewise be submissive to your own husbands,
that even if some do not obey the word, They,
without a word, may be won by the conduct of
their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct
accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment
be merely outward, arranging the hair, wearing
gold, or putting on fine apparel. Rather, let
it be the hidden person of the heart, with the
incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is very precious in the sight of God. For
in this manner in former times the holy women
who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being
submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed
Abraham, calling him Lord, whose daughters you
are if you do good and are not afraid with any
terror. Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with
understanding, giving honor to the wife as to
the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together
of the grace of life, that your prayers may not
be hindered. Finally, all of you be of one mind,
having compassion for one another. Love as brothers,
be tenderhearted, be courteous, not returning
evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on
the contrary, blessing, knowing that you were
called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
For he who would love life and see good days,
let him refrain his tongue from evil and his
lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away
from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and
pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the
righteous. and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the face of the Lord is against those who
do evil. And who is he who will harm you if you
become followers of what is good? But even if
you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you
are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats,
nor be troubled, but sanctify the Lord God in
your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense
to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope
that is in you, with meekness and fear, having
a good conscience, that when they defame you
as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct
in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if
it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good
than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered
once for sins, the just for the unjust, that
he might bring us the God, being put to death
in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit, by
whom also he went and preached to the spirits
in prison, who formerly were disobedient. when
once the divine long -suffering waited in the
days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared,
in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved
through water. There is also an antitype which
now saves us, baptism, not the removal of the
filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good
conscience toward God. Through the resurrection
of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven, and
is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities
and powers, having been made subject to him.
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the
flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind,
for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased
from sin, that he no longer should live the rest
of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men,
but for the will of God. For we have spent enough
of our past lifetime in doing the will of the
Gentiles, when we walked in lewdness, lusts,
drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and
abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they
think it strange that you do not run with them
in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil
of you. They will give an account to him who
is ready to judge the living and the dead. For
this reason, the gospel was preached also to
those who are dead. that they might be judged
according to men in the flesh, but living according
to God in the Spirit. But the end of all things
is at hand. Therefore, be serious and watchful
in your prayers, and above all things, have fervent
love for one another, for love will cover a multitude
of sins. Be hospitable to one another without
grumbling. As each one has received the gift,
minister it to one another, as good stewards
of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks,
let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone
ministers, let him do it as with the ability
which God supplies, that in all things God may
be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong
the glory and the dominion forever and ever.
Amen. Beloved, do not think it strange concerning
the fiery trial which is to try you, as though
some strange thing happened to you. But rejoice
to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings,
that when his glory is revealed, you may also
be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached
for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for
the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part
he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as
a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody
in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers
as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let
him glorify God in this matter. For the time
has come for judgment to begin at the house of
God. And if it begins with us first, what will
be the end of those who do not obey the gospel
of God? Now, if the righteous one is scarcely
saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner
appear? Therefore, let those who suffer according
to the will of God commit their souls to him
in doing good. As to a faithful, Creator. Chapter
5 The elders who are among you, I exhort, I who
am a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings
of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that
will be revealed, shepherd the flock of God which
is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion,
but willingly, not for dishonest gain, but eagerly,
not as being lords over those entrusted to you,
but being examples to the flock. And when the
chief shepherd appears, you will receive the
crown of glory that does not fade away. Likewise,
you younger people, submit yourselves to your
elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one
another, and be clothed with humility, for God
resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty
hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares
for you. Be sober, be vigilant. Because your
adversary the devil walks about like a roaring
lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him,
steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same
sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood
in the world. But may the God of all grace, who
called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish,
strengthen and settle you. To him be the glory
and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. By Silvanus,
our faithful brother, as I consider him, I have
written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying
that this is the true grace of God in which you
stand. She who is in Babylon, elect together
with you, greets you, and so does Mark, my son.
Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace
to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen. I hope
you enjoyed today's reading as much as I did.
And I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow
to continue on our journey. God bless you and
have a great day.