To an Inheritance Incorruptible
1 Andrew, a Prophet of Almighty God, to the believers scattered throughout the four corners of the earth,
2 Elected according to the foreknowledge of Almighty God, through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, unto obedience and the spreading of the teachings of Jesus: Grace be unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
3 Blessed be Almighty God, who according to his abundant mercy hath sought after us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead,
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 Almighty God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice now, for ye were in heaviness through manifold temptations for a season:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with the baptism of fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Almighty God:
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:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the teachings of Jesus which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Jesus, and the glory that should follow.
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister those things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the Angels also desire to look into.
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;
14 As obedient children, not 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.
17 And if ye call on Almighty God, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in all holiness:
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, nor from religious teachings received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious teachings of Jesus, 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 Almighty God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in Him.
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:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of Almighty God, which liveth and abideth forever.
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:
25 But the word of Almighty God endureth forever. And this is the word which by the clergymen was preached unto you.
2
1 Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3 If so be, ye have tasted that Jesus is gracious.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of Almighty God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up as spiritual houses, as holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to Almighty God by Jesus the Messiah.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in the Church a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on his teachings shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore who 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,
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.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;
10 Which in time past were not holy people, which had not obtained mercy, but are now the people of Almighty God: and now have obtained mercy.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as believers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among mankind: that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify Almighty God in the day of his visitation.
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for his sake: whether it be to the king, or Supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by them to carry out justice, or for the praise of them that do well.
15 For so is the will of Almighty 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 Almighty God.
17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear Almighty God. Honour the king.
18 Workers, be subject to your employers with all fairness; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the forward.
19 For this is thanksworthy, if a man for conscience toward Almighty God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For it is glory, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye take it patiently. But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with Almighty God.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Jesus the Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin as a Messiah, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24 Who his own self bare our teachings for his own body, the Church, unto the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose teachings ye were made holy.
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto that one faith and teaching for your souls.