1 Peter 1
1. Peter, the apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen and the settlers that are sown in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithymia,
2. Those that were chosen by the Prescience of God the Father, through the Holy Spirit, to be the adherents and to sprinkle the blood of Jesus Christ -- may blessings and peace proliferate among you.
3. Blessed is the God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ, He Who out of His Providential generosity gave us a new birth from the beginning, through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, so as we may have the hope of everlasting life,
4. And the Inheritance that is immutable, undefileable and unspoileable, that which is consecrated for you in heaven.
5. While you are guarded by the power of God and through the Faith of life everlasting that you are blessed with revealing in the final ages.*
6. Through which you may be overjoyed forever,* even though in this short season you may be oppressed by changing circumstances that will impinge themselves upon you.
7. So much so, that the communion of your faith is revealed, that which is of greater value than the purified gold forged in the fire for benediction and glorification and honor, through the revelation of Jesus Christ,
8. He Whom you did not see and yet loved, and by whose faith you sermonize, with joy, a glorification that cannot be described,
9. As you receive the recompense of your faith, which is the Salvation* of your souls.
10. That Salvation* upon whose heels the prophets followed, as they prophesied regarding the blessing that was destined to be vouchsafed you.
11. And they had a premonition about the season in which the Spirit of Christ that abided in them would appear and be attested, as His passion* and glorification afterwards were predestined.
12. And all their premonitions were revealed to them, because even though it was within themselves that they wanted to understand, it was for us that they prophesied; this is what is being revealed to you now by those who preach this Hope to you through the holy Spirit that was sent from heaven; imagine, even the heralding angels yearned to know when these prophesies would be fulfilled.*
13. Because of that set your conscience straight,* and be mature in your awareness, and preach about the joy that came upon you by the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
14. Like obedient children, and do not be part of the old yearnings. Those things that you yearned for without knowing.
15. Except be holy in all your affairs,* as holy is He that Called you.
16. For it is written [in Scriptures,]"May you be holy, whereas I am also holy."17. And if He is your Father that you call Him, He that knows no favoritism and judges every human being according to their works, take care of your affairs through submission during the season of your settlement.
18. As you know that it is neither silver, that tarnishes, nor gold that will save you from your empty works, those that you inherited from your ancestors,
19. Except by the precious blood of the Lamb, without blemish or guilt, who is the Christ,
20. Who was from the beginning chosen for this, before the foundations of the universe, and was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake,
21. Those of you that believed in God through His power,* who raised Him from the dead,* and glorified Him,* so as your faith and Hope may be in God.
22. So as your souls may be sanctified by heeding the Truth, and filled with love that is not hypocritical, that you may love one another with a pure and mature heart,
23. Like human beings who are born anew,* born not from the seed that becomes extinct,* except of the seed that does not become extinct, by the living Manifestation of God in the resurrection to eternal life.
24. Because all flesh is like a weed and grows like wild brush in a field. the weed dries and the wild brush withers,
25. And the Manifestation of God stands forever.* And this is that Manifestation for Whom you Hoped.
*1:4 Lit. Ar. id.: "Seasons."
*1:6 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "To the end of the universe."
*1:9 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "The lives of your breath," or everlasting lives.
*1:10 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Everlasting life."
*1:11 Lit. Ar. id.: "Sorrows."
*1:12 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "And it was revealed to them all the premonition they had, because even though their own souls they wanted, except for us they prophesied, these that now are revealed to you, by the hand of these extenders of hope, by the holy Spirit that is sent from heaven, that through them, by these, extremely desirous were even the angels that heralded you."
*1:13 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Wrap the backs of your consciences."
*1:15 Lit. Ar. id.: "Walks."
*1:18 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Currency that wears out."
*1:21.1 Lit. Ar. expression: "By His hand."
*1:21.2 Lit. Ar. id.: "The house of the dead."
*1:21.3 Lit. Ar. id.: "Gave Him glorification."
*1:23.1 Lit. Ar. id.: "Born from the beginning."
*1:23.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Wears out."
*1:25 Lit. Ar. id.: "To the end of the universe."
1 Peter 2
1. Therefore, let go* of every evil act, treachery, hypocrisy, malice and deviltry,
2. And be like young children and yearn for a taste of the Manifestation like it were pure and sweet smelling milk, through which you will be nurtured for the everlasting life,
3. If you have tasted and have seen that the Lord is good indeed,
4. He whom you have received in Communion, who is the Living Rock that was denigrated by humanity, that was chosen and honored with God.
5. And you also like living rocks shall be built up and become spiritual temples and holy high priests that will raise spiritual sacrifices before God, through* Jesus Christ.
6. For it is written in Scriptures,"Behold, I consecrate in Zion a Rock,7. Therefore, this honor was given to you, those who believed; however, to those that were heedless, He was the stumbling block* and the object of contention,
... to be regarded and honored as the Cornerstone,
And whoever believes in Him
... will not be abandoned."
8. As they would be weighed by Him, without heeding the Manifestation for Whom they were consecrated.
9. You, however, are the chosen generation, that is ordained as the Kingdom's high priests, a holy nation, a redeemed synagogue, as you had the enduring Hope in the glorification of the One Who called you out of the darkness toward the great Light,
10. Those who at the beginning did not think of ever becoming a nation. Now, however, a nation of God. There was even no mercy for you. Now, however, mercy is lavished upon you.
11. My beloved, as temporary residents and settlers, I want you to be done with all the body's lusts, these that make war against the soul.
12. And let your behavior be beautiful before all humanity, so that those who speak evil against you shall see that your works are beautiful and that they glorify God on the Day of Transubstantiation.*
13. So as [through those works] you may be of service to all humanity for the sake of God, of service to kings because they hold power,
14. [Be of service] to judges because some of them are sent to control the fools and to praise those that perform blessed works.
15. For this is the will of God, that through your beautiful works you will shut the mouth of fools, those that know not God,
16. Be like the children of the free and not like people who use their freedom to hide their evil works; thus be like the servants of God.
17. Respect every human being. Love your brother. Submit to God.* And respect the kings.
18. And those who are servants among you, devote yourselves to your masters with submission, not only to the good and the gentle, except also to the hard and the difficult.
19. For [those servants,] who have a good conscience, receive blessings before God, because despite the good conscience that they project, they are oppressed and treated abominably.
20. However, those who expect chastisement due to their foolish acts, what glory is there for that? Except, when you do beautifully and you are persecuted for it, yet you do not lose your Hope, that is when your glory grows before God.
21. For it was this that you were called for, for which also Christ died on our behalf and left us this example, that you shall follow on His heels,
22. He that neither committed sin, nor treachery was found in His mouth,
23. He that was ridiculed, but did not ridicule. And He that sorrowed, but paid no mind. Except He surrendered his judgment to the righteous judgment.
24. And He bore all our sins and raised them bodily* to the Cross, whereas we were dead in sin, we shall Live by His righteousness. For you were healed by His stripe wounds,
25. Whence you were lost like sheep and now you have returned to the shepherd and the reconciler of your souls.
*2:1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Rest from yourselves."
*2:5 Lit. Ar. expression: "By the hand of."
*2:7 Lit. Ar. id.: "Rock."
*2:12 Lit. Ar. id.: "The Eucharist," also: "Heirdom."
*2:17 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "And from God be in submission."
*2:24 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "By His body."
1 Peter 3
1. Thus also, you women, be devoted to your husbands, so as those who do not surrender to the Manifestation, will be won over through your beautiful, effortless attitudes,
2. As they see that with devotion and politeness you attend to your duties.
3. And do not follow foreign trends of arranging your hair, wearing gold chains or extravagant clothing.
4. Except follow the trends of the human being who is clean of heart, with a gentle spirit that cannot be corrupted, a trend that is resplendent before God.
5. For thus also in olden times did the holy women, those who had their hope in God, adapt their manner and devote themselves to their husbands,
6. Such as Sarah devoted herself to Abraham and called him, "my lord" -- she that you are her daughters through blessed works, when your submission is unshakable.
7. And you, men, live thus with your women in this knowledge and regard them like vessels intended for honor, because they too shall inherit the gift of everlasting life,* so as you may not stumble in your prayers.
8. In the final analysis, then, you should all be in one accord, and you should be sad with those who are sad, and merciful towards one another. Be merciful and gentle.
9. And to the evil person, neither repay evil with evil, nor ridicule with ridicule; except against such people, regard them blessedly. For that is why you have been called to inherit the blessing.10. Whoever wish to live eternally,*13. And who will do evil against you, if you have the integrity of the blessed?
... and yearn to see the blessed days,
Let them guard their tongue from evil
... and their lips from treachery.
11. Let them forego evil and perform good deeds,
... and they should love peace and chase after it.
12. Because the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous,
... and His ears are listening to them,
...... but the Lord's face confronts the evil.
14. And should you suffer anguish for the sake of righteousness, blessed are you indeed, and do not fear those who submit themselves to you [in faith] and do not be disturbed.
15. Except, bless the Lord Christ in your hearts, and be gracious in pouring out your spirit to anyone who devotes themselves to the Manifestation, over the Hope of your Faith, through kindness and submission.
16. While you have a blessed conscience, whereas those who speak about you like you were evil people, may be put to shame as oppressors of your beautiful attitude through Christ.
17. For it is to your credit that when you do blessed works, you are trashed with evil remarks -- if this is the will of God -- rather than you should be doing evil yourselves.
18. Because even Christ died one season on behalf of our sins -- the Holy on behalf of sins -- so as He may offer you up to God, and He died in the flesh and was resurrected in the Spirit,
19. And He preached to the souls who were in submission to Sheol,
20. Those who had not adhered from the olden times of Noah, as God's Spirit in Her outpouring commanded that there be built an ark of grace for their Hope, and just eight souls entered it and lived through the waters.
21. So as you may also Live by that example through baptism, not merely by washing the body of dirt, except as you confess God through a clean conscience, and through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22. He who ascends to heaven and sits from the right of God, and Whom the angels worship, and the authorities and the powers.
*3:7 Lit. Ar. id.: "To the end of the universe."
*3:10 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "To Live thusly."
1 Peter 4
1. If Christ thus Sorrowed in the flesh, you too arm yourselves through Him with this perspective. For whoever die through His body, He gives them rest from all their sins,
2. So as they may not live according to the desires of humanity, therefore -- however long they are in body -- except so as they may live according to God's will.
3. For the season of living in vain has passed, when you did the works according to the will of pagans, like drunken prodigals, in outrageous singing and demonic behavior.
4. And, behold, now they wonder about you and curse you, as you do not engage with them in the debauchery of that old life of the prodigal,
5. Those who must answer to God, who made it necessary* for our Lord to judge the dead and the living.
6. For it was because of it that He preached to the dead, so as they may be judged like human beings in the flesh and that they may live through God in the spirit.
7. The end has arrived, then, because of it be unassuming and cognizant as you pray on your knees.
8. And before everything let your love be aimed at one another. For love covers up most sins.
9. And you should have mercy toward foreigners without complaint.
10. And all human beings from among you who receive the gift of God, let them minister to their companions like they were caretakers of homes that are blessed with the precious grace of God.
11. Whoever speaks, let them speak like the Manifestation of God speaks, and whoever ministers, let them minister according to the power given by God, so as whatever you accomplish, God is glorified through Jesus Christ. To Whom belongs the glory and the honor to the end of the universe, of all the universes, amen.
12. My beloved, do not be surprised by the trials, like something strange overwhelming you, because these things are your Communion in the inheritance.*
13. Except be glad that you are becoming partakers in the Passion of Christ, so as you may also partake in the revelation of His glory and be glad and celebrate.
14. And if you are maligned or slaughtered for the sake of the name of Christ, you are indeed blessed, as the glorifying Spirit of God shall rest upon you.
15. Suffering as a murderer, a thief or an evil-doer is not the same thing.*
16. Then you should not be ashamed to suffer passion for being a Christian, except glorify God for the sake of this name.
17. Because that is the season when judgment starts from the house of God. If, then, it begins from us, what will be the end of those that did not adhere to the preaching of God's [Kingdom]?18. And if the righteous are harvested for eternal life,19. Because of that those who sorrow according to the will of God, shall reveal their souls to Him through beautiful works, like the faithful creation that they are.
... where will the ignorant and the sinners find themselves?
*4:5 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Destined."
*4:12 Lit. Ar. id.: Or: "Your sacrificial Lambs."
*4:15 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "Alone, no human being from you like a killer or thief or doer of evils should suffer."
1 Peter 5
1. I wish of those priests who are among you, I, as a fellow priest and witness of the Passion of Christ and a partaker in His glory that is destined to be revealed,
2. I wish for you to shepherd the flock of God that follows you; abound spiritually, not by compulsion, but rather by free will; not by the help of evil means, except from all your heart;
3. Not like the lords of the flock, except as beautiful examples,
4. So that when the Lord of the shepherds is revealed, you shall receive from Him the imperishable wreath of glory.
5. And you, young people, heed your priests and take on an intimate attitude of kindness toward one another, because,
"God is an obstacle to the arrogant, however He is gracious to the gentle."6. Be gentle thus under the all embracing hand of God, so as it may exalt you in the season of righteousness.
7. And pour all your concerns on God, for it is you He is all concerned about.
8. Be cognizant and remember, because your enemy Satan roars like a lion and goes about looking for whom to swallow.
9. Stand thus against him, as you are justified by faith, and know this, that also your brothers in the world are cursed by the same suffering.
10. However, the God of Grace, Who called us to His everlasting glory through Jesus Christ, He who gave Him to us, Who preached to us about these little tribulations, so as we may be strengthened and be justified and be resurrected by Him to the everlasting life,
11. To Him belongs the Glory, the Supremacy, and the Honor to the end of the universe, of all the universes, amen.
12. These little things that I preach to you, that I write of through the faithful brother Silvanus, and which I pass on to you and testify of, that this is the true grace of God, that which you are resurrected by.
13. My son Mark and the chosen church of Babylon say shalom.
14. Say shalom to each other with a holy kiss. Shalom to all who are in Christ, amen.
Translated by Victor Alexander © 2001
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