## A Living Hope 

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Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as exiles, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 

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according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to the obedience of Jesus Christ and the sprinkling of His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. 

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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

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to _obtain_ an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, having been kept in heaven for you, 

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who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

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In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 

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so that the proof of your faith, _being_ more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

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And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 

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receiving as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. 

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Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who prophesied of the grace that _would come_ to you, made careful searches and inquiries, 

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inquiring to know what _time_ or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He was predicting the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 

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It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been declared to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things into which angels long to look. 

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Therefore, having girded your minds for action, being sober _in spirit_, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

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As obedient children, not being conformed to the former lusts _which were yours_ in your ignorance, 

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but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all _your_ conduct; 

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because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." 

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And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your sojourn, 

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knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold from your futile conduct inherited from your forefathers, 

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but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, _the blood_ of Christ. 

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He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but appeared in these last times for the sake of you 

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who 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. 

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Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a love of the brothers without hypocrisy, fervently love one another from the heart, 

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for you have been born again not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, _that is_, through the living and enduring word of God. 

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For, "All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls off, 

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But the word of the Lord endures forever." And this is the word which was proclaimed to you as good news.