A New Translation of the First Letter of

Peter

Based on the Westcott and Hort Text of 1881 with references to the Papyrus fragments of the Chester Beatty collections, c. 3^rd Century A.D. and the Sinaitic Manuscript of the 4^th Century.

Some notes on this translation:

Gentiles vs. nations:  Many translations have translated the Greek root ethn- as Gentiles. We have translated it as nations. The reason for the discrepancy is this: The Hebrew word goyim technically means nations, but as used by the Jews for millennia, the word implies non-Jewish nations, hence, Gentiles. In writing the New Testament, the Greek equivalent of goyim was used, but since the writing was done primarily by Jews, they tended to use the word to mean non-Jewish nations.  In reading this translation, readers should keep that in mind, realizing that when Peter said “nations,” he meant “non-Jewish nations.”

Thou vs. YOU: Many people today have a hard time understanding the Elizabethan usage of thou, thee, thy, etc. For this reason, we have chosen to avoid this archaic language. At the same time, we need to be able to fulfill the purpose of those words, which was to distinguish between a singular you and a plural YOU. Following the example of other translations, we have used all capital letters to indicate plural (more than one person addressed), and small letters to indicate singular (one person addressed).

Words in italics: Following the example of other translations, we have used italics for words that are not in the original text, but which are essential to the sense of the original when translated into English. Unlike other translations, however, we have NOT added words which alter the meaning of the original.

Words in (parentheses): These are not part of the biblical text, but are notes of explanation from the translator.

Man and Woman vs. Husband and Wife: Greek has no specific words for husband or wife, but uses the words man and woman, as do many other languages. We have translated the words man and woman as such, but in proper context, the readers should understand them to mean husband and wife.

Perfect vs. Complete: Many English versions use the word “perfect” both as a verb and as an adjective, to translate a particular Greek root. We have also used it occasionally, but it should be understood as perfect in the sense of “complete” and not in the sense of “without flaw.”

1 Peter 1

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the Diaspora (i.e., the dispersion, when Rome dispersed the Jews around the known world) in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, into obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to YOU and peace be multiplied.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy gave us new birth into a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 into an incorruptible, and undefiled, and unfading inheritance, reserved in heaven for YOU,

5 who by the power of God are guarded through faith into a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 In which YOU greatly rejoice (literally, “jump for joy”), though now for a little while, if necessary, YOU have been grieved in various trials,

7 so that the testing of YOUR faith, --much more precious than gold that perishes though proved by fire-- might be found into praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:

8 whom not having seen YOU love; on whom, not now seeing, yet believing, YOU rejoice greatly (literally “jump for joy”) with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

9 receiving the result of faith, the salvation of souls.

10 About which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, having prophesied about the grace that was for YOU:

11 searching into what, or what sort of, time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating, testifying beforehand about the sufferings of Christ, and the glories after them.

12 To whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to YOU, they were ministering these things, which now were announced to YOU through those who preached the gospel to YOU by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; into which things angels desire to look.

13 Therefore girding up the loins of YOUR mind, being perfectly sober, hope in the grace that is brought to YOU at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 as children of obedience, not fashioning YOURSELVES according to YOUR former desires in YOUR ignorance:

15 but just as he who called YOU is holy, YOU YOURSELVES also become holy in all YOUR conduct;

16 therefore it is written, ‘YOU will be holy; because I am holy.’

17 And if YOU are calling on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each one's work, conduct YOURSELVES in fear during the time of YOUR sojourning:

18 knowing that YOU were redeemed from YOUR vain conduct handed down from the fathers, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold,

19 but with precious blood, as of an unblemished and spotless lamb, the blood of Christ:

20 who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of times for YOUR sake,

21 who through him are faithful to God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that YOUR faith and hope would be in God.

22 Have purified YOUR souls in obedience to the truth into unhypocritical brotherly love, love one another from the heart fervently (or “without ceasing”):

23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of the living and abiding God.

24 For, ‘All flesh is as a garden, and all its glory is as the flower of a garden. The garden dried up, and the flower fell off:

25 But the word of the Lord remains for ever.’ And this is the word preached as good news to YOU.

1 Peter 2

1 Therefore, having put off all evil, and all deceit and hypocrisy, and envies, and all slander (or “backbiting” or “evil speaking”),

2 as newborn babies, long for the sincere (i.e., without deceit) milk of the word, that by it, YOU might grow into salvation,

3 if YOU have tasted that the Lord is gracious:

4 To whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but to God chosen, precious,

5 YOU also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, into a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6 Therefore it is included in scripture, ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a chief corner stone, chosen, precious: And the one believing on him will not be ashamed.’

7 For YOU, therefore, who believe, is the preciousness: but for those not believing, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same became the head of the corner;’

8 and, ‘A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence;’ for they stumble on the word, being disobedient: to which also they were appointed.

9 But YOU are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people, so that YOU might declare the excellencies of the one who called YOU out of darkness into his wonderful light:

10 who were once not a people, but now are the people of God: who had not been shown mercy, but now have been shown mercy.

11 Beloved, I ask YOU as sojourners and resident foreigners, to abstain from fleshly desires, which war against the soul;

12 having YOUR behavior virtuous among the nations; so that, in what things they slander YOU as evil-doers, they might, by YOUR good works which they see, glorify God in the day of inspection.

13 Be subject to every creation of man for the Lord's sake: whether to a king, as being superior;

14 or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers, but for praise of them that do good.

15 Because this is the will of God, that those doing good muzzle the ignorance of stupid men:

16 as free, and not using freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as slaves of God.

17 Honor all. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

18 Servants, subject YOURSELVES to the masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the crooked.

19 For this is gratifying to God, if, because of conscience toward God, someone endures griefs, suffering unjustly.

20 For what renown is it, if, when sinning, YOU endure being hit? But if, when doing good and suffering, YOU endure, this is gratifying to God.

21 For YOU were called into this: because Christ also suffered for YOU, leaving YOU an example, so that YOU might follow in his steps:

22 who did not sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth:

23 who, being reviled (i.e., verbally abused), did not revile in return; suffering, did not threaten; but surrendered himself to the one who judges righteously:

24 who bore our sins himself in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes YOU were healed.

25 For YOU like sheep were going astray; but have now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of YOUR souls.

1 Peter 3

1 Likewise, women, subject YOURSELVES to YOUR own men; so that if any are disobeying the word, they may, without the word, be gained by the conduct of the women;

2 seeing YOUR pure conduct with fear.

3 Whose adorning let it not be from the outside, of braiding the hair, and of putting gold all around, or of putting on clothing;

4 but the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible adorning of a still and gentle spirit, which is of great price in the sight of God.

5 For in this way also the holy women, who hoped in God, once adorned themselves, subjecting themselves to their own men:

6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: YOU have become her children, doing good, and not fearing any terror.

7 Men, likewise, living with them according to knowledge, giving honor as to a weaker vessel, that of woman, as also joint-heirs of the grace of life; so that YOUR prayers not be hindered.

8 But finally, all of YOU be likeminded, sympathetic, having brotherly love, compassionate, humble-minded:

9 not returning evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary, give a blessing; because YOU were called into this, so that YOU might inherit a blessing.

10 For, ‘He wants to love life, and see good days, Let him restrain the tongue from evil, and lips from speaking deceit:

11 but let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and let him pursue it.

12 Because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears toward their supplication: But the face of the Lord is on those doing evil.

13 And who is going to treat YOU badly, if YOU become zealous for that which is good?

14 But even if YOU may suffer for righteousness' sake, YOU are blessed. But do not fear their fear, neither be troubled;

15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in YOUR hearts: always ready to give answer to every one who asks YOU for a reason for the hope that is in YOU, but with mildness and fear:

16 having a good conscience; so that, in the thing which YOU are spoken against, they may be ashamed who insult YOUR good conduct in Christ.

17 For it is better, if the will of God so will, for those doing good to suffer, than for those doing evil.

18 Because Christ also suffered for sins once and for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring YOU (some versions say “us”) to God; having been put to death in the flesh, but having been made alive in the spirit;

19 in which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison,

20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God was waiting in the days of Noah, when the ark was being constructed, in which few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water:

21 as an antitype of which, baptism now also saves YOU, not the removal (literally “putting aside”) of dirt from the flesh, but the inquiry of a good conscience to God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;

22 who is in the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers having been subjected to him.

1 Peter 4

1 Therefore, Christ having suffered in the flesh, YOU also arm YOURSELVES with the same mind; for the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin;

2 so that he would live the rest of his time in flesh no longer for the desires of men, but for the will of God.

3 For the time gone by is sufficient to have performed the will of the nations, having walked in loose conduct, desires, excesses of wine, carousings, drinking binges, and abominable (literally, “unlawful”) idolatries:

4 in which they think it’s strange that YOU don’t run with them into the same excess of unsaving action, blaspheming:

5 who will give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead.

6 For to this end the gospel was preached also to the dead, that indeed they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

7 But the end of all things is at hand: therefore be of sound mind, and abstain from wine for prayer:

8 above all, having fervent (or “unceasing”) love among YOURSELVES, because love covers a multitude of sins:

9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling:

10 according as each has received a gift, ministering it among YOURSELVES, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God;

11 if any one speaks, as if utterances of God; if any one ministers, as from the strength which God supplies: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the burning fire happening to YOU for a trial, as though a strange thing were happening to YOU:

13 but just as YOU are sharing Christ's sufferings, rejoice, so that at the revelation of his glory also YOU may rejoice with exceeding joy (literally “leaping for joy”).

14 If YOU are taunted with the name of Christ, YOU are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon YOU.

15 For let none of YOU suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other's affairs:

16 but if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.

17 For it is time for judgment to begin from the house of God: and if first from us, what will be the end of those who disobey the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and sinner appear?

19 So let those who suffer according to the will of God, also commit their souls to a faithful Creator by doing good.

1 Peter 5

1 I encourage the elders among YOU, as a fellow-elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:

2 Shepherd the flock of God that is among YOU, not out of necessity, but voluntarily; but not for disgraceful gain, but of a willing mind;

3 but neither as lording it over the inheritance, but becoming models to the flock.

4 And when the chief Shepherd will be manifested, YOU shall receive the unfading crown of glory.

5 Likewise, younger ones, be subject to the elders. But all of YOU gird YOURSELVES with humility of mind to one another: because God opposes the haughty, but gives grace to the humble.

6 Therefore, humble YOURSELVES under the mighty hand of God, that he might exalt YOU in due time;

7 casting all YOUR anxiety upon him, because it matters to him about YOU.

8 Abstain from wine, be awake: YOUR adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, is walking about, seeking to devour (literally “drink down”),

9 against whom stand firm for the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in YOUR brotherhood in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, who called YOU into his everlasting glory in Christ, after YOU have suffered a little while, will himself perfect, establish, strengthen YOU.

11 To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12 By the hand of Silvanus, the faithful brother, as I consider him, I have written to YOU with few words, encouraging, and testifying that this is the true grace of God: Stand in it.

13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with YOU, and Mark my son, greet YOU.

14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to YOU all who are in Christ.